Everton 3-0 Arsenal
The FA Women's Cup Semi-Final
Southport FC
Sunday 20 March 2005
£2,500 to the winning club

Watch the highlights and interview
20 March 2005		    
Everton v Arsenal, The FA Women's Cup Semi-Final
20 March 2005    
Charlton Ath v Bristol R,  The FA Women's Cup Semi-Final

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Everton will take on Charlton Athletic in the FA Women's Cup Final after the Merseysiders pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win over Arsenal.

Arsenal had started the game as favourites but they found themselves chasing the game after England midfielder Fara Williams had given Everton the lead direct from a 44th-minute corner.

Conceding a goal so late in the first half was a killer blow to the Gunners but they responded in positive fashion, pressing for an equaliser.

However the Londoners seemed to lack any sharpness in the final third and when England international Jody Handley put the Toffees further ahead with a close range shot in the 79th minute, the game was effectively over.

There was time for Everton to wrap up a sweet victory with a third goal, from a penalty, five minutes from time. Another England player - Kelly McDougall - stroked the ball home to see Everton through to a first Final since their 1989 win.

After the match, Arsenal manager Vic Akers was understandably disappointed. "We didn't turn up for the game," he said.

"There are no excuses. Everton had bigger desire than us and we were second best - we just weren't good enough on the day."

For Everton manager Mo Marley, the feelings were quite the reverse: "Arsenal are our benchmark but we were quietly confident today.

"A victory over them has been coming and I went into the game thinking, not just hoping, that we were going to win this one.

"I didn't expect to beat them by that many goals but we deserved the win and it's fantastic to reach The Final."

In the other Semi-Final, Charlton Athletic beat Bristol Rovers 1-0 to see the Addicks through to their third consecutive Final.

The defeat, which came courtesy of a 31st-minute goal by midfielder Emma Coss, saw Bristol bow out at the Semi-Final stage for the third time in three years.

Coss scored the only goal of the game when she got on the end of a Jo Broadhurst free-kick and finished well from close range.

After losing in both the 2003 and 2004 finals, Charlton will now hope to make it third time lucky when they square up to Everton on 02 May.

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