Chelsea Women secured their place in the Women’s FA Cup fifth round with a dominant 5-0 victory over London rivals Crystal Palace at Kingsmeadow.
Sonia Bompastor’s side lived up to their status as heavy favorites, delivering a clinical performance that saw them settle the tie before the halftime whistle.
First Half Blitz
The breakthrough came early in the 13th minute when captain Millie Bright rose highest to head home an inch-perfect cross from Erin Cuthbert. The lead was doubled just ten minutes later by the ever-prolific Sam Kerr, who finished a flowing team move with clinical precision.
The Blues refused to take their foot off the gas, and Guro Reiten made it 3-0 in the 28th minute, effectively ending Palace’s hopes of a comeback before the break.
Total Dominance
Chelsea maintained their intensity in the second half. Sam Kerr grabbed her second of the afternoon in the 52nd minute, further cementing her status as the most dangerous forward in the English game. The scoring was rounded off in style by American starlet Alyssa Thompson, who found the net in the 71st minute to seal the emphatic 5-0 win.
League Cup Showdown Awaits
While the Blues await their fifth-round opponent in the FA Cup, their focus now shifts to a massive silverware opportunity. Chelsea currently sit second in the Women’s Super League (WSL), but all eyes are now on the FA Women’s League Cup (Conti Cup).
Chelsea will face Manchester City in a high-stakes semi-final this Wednesday, January 21. It’s a clash between the two top sides in the country, with a spot in the final on the line.
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Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
