Manchester City Women 2, Arsenal Women 1 (FA Women’s Cup Semi Final 2020)
Steph Houghton and Sam Mewis scored the goals that took Manchester City to Wembley after beating Arsenal to reach the postponed 2020 FA Women’s Cup final.
Embed from Getty ImagesThey will face surprise finalists Everton after outplaying Arsenal in the first half and then denying them chances in the second half of an enjoyable encounter at the City Football Academy.
Despite such a great start, City had only Houghton’s stunning free kick to show for it.
Jordan Nobbs had levelled up the tie with a lobbed goal against the run of play but the Gunners, who later lost Kim Little to a hamstring injury, were made to look slow and sluggish on the night by a City side that looked to be gelling quickly and they quickly retook the lead through Mewis.
Although the Gunners improved in the second half they could not break down the organised City side even after the home side tired towards the end.
City manager Gareth Taylor was delighted with his side’s performance, arguably the best half they have played this season, saying:
“We played really well in the first half and could have had a bigger lead going into half time.
“Arsenal gave it a go in the second half but we wanted to win it.
“It’s great to be going back to Wembley, the girls deserve it but we are back in action on Sunday.”
Taylor was also happy with the performance of City’s American imports, praising Mewis in particular for her dominant first half which she capped with a goal, adding:
“It’s difficult to come to a new league, the physicality, tactical side, and a new coach.
“They are experienced players but they are great people first and foremost.”
Sam Mewis caps dominant performance with match winning goal for Man City
USA International Rose Lavelle overcame a slight injury and was named on the bench as Manchester City Women went with a very strong line-up against Arsenal in the postponed semi final of the FA Women’s Cup from last season.
And City dominated the early exchanges, keeping the Gunners subdued in an energetic start.
Lavelle’s American team mate Sam Mewis fired wide from range after meeting Lucy Bronze’s cut back in the opening stages, while Chloe Kelly went close twice.
City won a free kick after Leah Williamson brought down Caroline Weir 18 minutes in at a good range for Steph Houghton and the City captain duly converted it with a rasping free kick from 25 yards out which went over the Arsenal wall and beyond the reach of Manuela Zinsberger inside the near post.
Ellen White wasted two chances laid on by Weir, the second teed up for the Scot to head on brilliantly by Mewis, as Arsenal lacked focus throughout the first half.
The Gunners had been second best all night but they were level just 6 minutes before half time when Jordan Nobbs lifted the ball over Ellie Roebuck from 25 yards out after the talented forward opted to shoot rather than try and pass around the City press.
But Mewis put City back into the lead with her first goal for City in the 41st minute.
Kelly’s cross into Ellen White was flicked back into the box under pressure from Williamson where it found the onrushing American ready to smack City back into the lead with a low shot from 8 yards out.
Manchester City defensive performance in the second half secures FA Cup semi final win
The Gunners lost captain Kim Little early in the second half after she could not continue, she was replaced by Lia Walti.
City could have extended their lead when Georgia Stanway opted to shoot rather than square the ball to White after Weir slid the ball to the England youngster.
But Arsenal were steadily improving, and won a couple of corners and tested Roebuck again although it remained comfortable for City who introduced Lavelle into the action in the 65th minute for White.
The Gunners were denied many clear chances by City who were given more to do in defence towards the end of the game.
Vivianne Miedema got the drop on Bonner with 10 minutes to go but a poor touch summed up Arsenal’s evening as the ball ran out of play while both Danielle van de Donk and Miedema were denied by City defending – the latter by a tenacious block by Stokes while Lucy Bronze did her share of defending too from a ball into the box for Williamson.
And at the very end of the game, Bonner gave away a free kick 25 yards out, but McCabe’s free kick hit the wall and Miedema failed to connect with the Gunner’s last chance seconds later.
GOALS – Manchester City Women 2, Arsenal Women 1 (FA Women’s Cup Semi-Final 2020)
Man City Women 1, Arsenal Women 0: 19. Steph Houghton opened the scoring with a vintage free kick from 25 yards out – a rasping drive from 25 yards out which went over the wall and beyond the reach of Manuela Zinsberger inside the near post.
Man City 1, Arsenal 1: 39. With plenty of Manchester City defenders closing down the passing lanes, Jordan Nobbs saw Ellie Roebuck off her line and chipped her from 25 yards against the run of play.
Man City 2, Arsenal 1: 41. Sam Mewis stabbed the ball in from close range after Ellen White go to the loose ball before Leah Williamson could clear Chloe Kelly’s cross. The onrushing American made no mistake from 8 yards out.
MATCH STATS – Manchester City Women 2, Arsenal Women 1 (FA Women’s Cup Semi-Final 2020)
Man City Women: Roebuck, Bronze, Houghton, Bonner, Stokes, Walsh, Mewis, Weir, Kelly (Park 80), Stanway, White (Lavelle 65)
Man City Women Subs not used: Bardsley, Taieb, Coombs, Scott, Beckie, Morgan, Greenwood
Booking: Bonner 29 (foul on Beth Mead)
Goals: Houghton 19; Mewis 41
Arsenal: Zinsberger, Maritz, Williamson, Schnaderbeck, McCabe, van de Donk, Little (Walti 50), Nobbs, Mead, Miedema, Foord
Arsenal Women Subs not used: Stenson, Wubben-Moy, Beattie, Maier, Gut, Mace
Booking: McCabe 45 (foul on Sam Mewis)
Goal: Nobbs 39
Referee: Helen Conley