Women’s FA Cup talking points: Kerr shows the way and Liverpool resurgence continues

Sam Kerr’s first goal since returning from a 20-month ACL lay-off stole the headlines as Chelsea edged Manchester United to reach the Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals, while Liverpool’s January overhaul continued to pay dividends and lower-league resistance finally crumbled across the fifth-round ties.

Kerr, restricted to cup cameos since her comeback, needed only six minutes off the bench to swivel and finish past United, rekindling memories of the predatory instincts that once made her the world’s most feared striker. The strike did not prove the winner—Chelsea required extra-time to settle the contest—but manager Sonia Bompastor believes it could be a watershed moment. “It’s been a bit tough with many things, like not getting the minutes she wanted,” Bompastor admitted. “Today will have been great for her confidence and I know she will be ready for the business end of the season.”

While Chelsea survived a scare, the day’s biggest mismatch underlined the gulf still separating the pyramid’s summit from its base. Birmingham City hit eight past fourth-tier Chatham Town, yet the scoreline flattered the WSL side only because of goalkeeper Simone Eligon. The Trinidad & Tobago international, cleared to play after a recent concussion, produced nine saves and was hailed by manager Keith Boanas as “excellent” and “probably deserving to be playing at a higher level.”

Charlton, top of the second tier, also flirted with embarrassment before Lucy Fitzgerald’s late penalty squeezed them past third-tier Oxford United, who played the final quarter-hour with 10 players. The result ensured that every quarter-finalist will come from the top 14 clubs in the pyramid, extending the competition’s run without a true shock.

No such worries for Arsenal, where 35-year-old Kim Little continues to defy time. The Scot curled in the opener against Bristol City, her second goal in as many FA Cup outings this term, to set the Gunners on course for a 3-0 stroll. Head coach Renée Slegers praised Little’s “consistency of small good actions and behaviours,” crediting the captain for laying the platform regardless of conditions.

Manchester City were similarly untroubled, Lauren Hemp and Iman Beney tormenting Sheffield United down both flanks in a 4-0 cruise. Hemp twice teed up Beney for near-identical finishes inside 15 minutes, underscoring the width that manager Andrée Jeglertz believes makes his side “great” on the wings.

The tie of the round, however, belonged to Merseyside. Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat of Everton at St Helens was their fourth victory in six matches since a January recruitment spree that brought in six new faces. Republic of Ireland midfielder Denise O’Sullivan anchored a dominant midfield display, while the Reds mustered more shots on target (eight) in a single afternoon than they managed throughout December combined. The result keeps alive dreams of another deep cup run after last season’s semi-final berth and caps a remarkable turnaround from a side that began 2024 propping up the WSL table.

Fran Kirby offered further proof that returning stars can tilt ties. The Brighton playmaker, back after six weeks out, scored within six minutes and later teed up Kiko Seike in a 2-1 win at West Ham. Head coach Dario Vidosic admitted that keeping Kirby fit may determine how far Brighton can go in the competition.

With the last-eight lineup now complete, the Women’s FA Cup appears destined for familiar hands—yet the weekend served notice that individual brilliance, whether from Kerr, Little or Kirby, can still swing the narrative.