The Adobe Women's FA Cup

Five things you may have missed from SSE Women's FA Cup Final

Saturday 05 May 2018
Ramona Bachmann celebrates scoring in the SSE Women's FA Cup Final

Chelsea won their second SSE Women's FA Cup as they beat London rivals Arsenal 3-1 helped by a brace from Ramona Bachmann.

Here's five things you may have missed from the record-breaking Final.

Fan unity and a Mexican wave!

Far from the partisan feel of the terraces in most games, the family atmosphere of the Final continued from out on Wembley Way into the stands. Fans from both sides merged around the stadium and even joined forces for a Mexican Wave midway through the first half – the hallmark of any feel-good occasion.

Arsenal 1-3 Chelsea
  • SSE Women's FA Cup Final
  • Saturday 5 May 2018
  • at Wembley Stadium
  • by Jimmy Booker

A new record

And while on the subject of supporters, this year’s all-London final attracted a grand total of 45,423 – a new high for the competition and smashing last year’s then-record total of 35,271 out of the water, showing interest in women’s football in England continues to grow and grow.

Kirby the focal point again

Ramona Bachmann’s sumptuous hit for the first goal will rightly earn her many plaudits, but Fran Kirby’s close control and delicate through ball created the opening for the Swiss forward and underlined why she was crowned PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year.

The England forward was constant thorn in Arsenal’s side throughout the contest with her speed and movement and sealed her impressive display with a sterling effort 14 minutes from time.

Brilliant Bachmann… with a bit of help

While Bachmann’s first goal was a well-worked team effort, her second was all of her own doing. After jinking in from the right-hand touchline, she unleashed a lovely curling effort into the far corner beyond the rooted Sari van Veenendaal to double Chelsea’s advantage.

On first glance it was a picturebook delight but on closer inspection it took the slightest of flicks off Louise Quinn on its way into the net. Perhaps Bachmann’s well-struck shot would have gone in regardless but the deflection was certainly telling.

Magic Mead makes something out of nothing

Tight to the by-line and with seemingly nowhere to go, Beth Mead delightfully nutmegged Hannah Blundell with little space to work in to set up Vivianne Miedema from close range. It got Arsenal back into the game for a couple of minutes before Kirby’s cracker stole the show and sealed the victory for the west London outfit.

By FA Staff