Khadija Shaw celebrates for Manchester CityImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Khadija Shaw is linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer

At a glance

  • Khadija Shaw equalises in stoppage time then scores the winning goal in extra time

  • Mary Fowler had got one back for City in the 86th minute

  • Erin Cuthbert and Sam Kerr put Chelsea 2-0 up

By
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Stamford Bridge

Khadija Shaw scored twice as Manchester City came from behind in incredible fashion to beat Chelsea and reach the Women's FA Cup final.

The Jamaican international has dominated headlines this week as an exit from City appears to be nearing and Chelsea have emerged as favourites to sign her on a free deal in the summer.

With all eyes on Shaw and a swirling narrative building, it was fitting that she produced the game's biggest moments to carry her side to victory.

With four minutes of normal time remaining, Manchester City were trailing 2-0 before Mary Fowler got one back and Shaw netted a stoppage-time equaliser.

But that was not the ending to Shaw's story as she stepped up again in the 13th minute of extra time to nod in the winning goal for the newly-crowned Women's Super League champions.

It was a remarkable finale to a pulsating showdown that had seen Chelsea dominate for 80 minutes and until that point deserving the victory.

But despite goals from dependable Chelsea stars Sam Kerr and Erin Cuthbert, they did not have enough to hold on against England's best team this season.

They did put up a fight in extra-time, however, with minutes to go, goalkeeper Khiara Keating tipped Chelsea midfielder Sjoeke Nusken's header onto the crossbar, as gasps rippled throughout Stamford Bridge.

But City clung on to cap off the perfect week for Andree Jeglertz's side, who celebrated a first league title in a decade on Wednesday and will chase a first domestic double in 10 years.

They face Brighton in the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, 31 May after the Seagulls beat Liverpool 3-2 earlier on Sunday.

Manchester City analysis: Shaw's audition for Chelsea

Five days after celebrating their title success, City arrived in London hoping to show why they were crowned England's best team but were quickly humbled.

Chelsea's bright start, coupled with their ruthlessness, meant they strolled to a 2-0 lead and looked set to reach a fourth FA Cup final in five seasons.

But City's hunger for success was evident in the dying stages as substitute Fowler's impact made a difference and gave them a lifeline before Shaw proved why she is a striker in demand.

Chelsea supporters were chanting "Bunny Shaw, we'll see you next season" midway through the match but were silenced when the Jamaican international struck in the 92nd minute to complete City's comeback.

Shaw sprinted to City's fans in the corner behind the goal, did a knee-slide and roared in celebration as the tension she had clearly been holding in was released.

She had missed several chances throughout the match and was not at her usual best. But Shaw does not need to be her best to deliver in the biggest moments.

It was a reminder of what City could lose if they do not agree a contract extension with Shaw while it was a snapshot of what Chelsea could gain if they win the battle to sign her in the summer.

For the time being however, City's fans, who sang "championes" and celebrated with the players at full-time, will be relishing Shaw's final games of the season.

Chelsea analysis: Rebuild needed this summer

Six-time winners Chelsea have dominated in this competition as they have in the WSL in recent years and were desperate to defend another of their domestic titles.

Having gone unbeaten to win a domestic treble last season, the reality is their English rivals have caught them up in this campaign.

Behind in the WSL, knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Arsenal and now beaten in the FA Cup semi-finals by City... This is a striking snapshot of their regression.

Manager Bompastor admitted this week she had expected a transitional season and two trophies at the end of it would have looked a fair return for a challenging campaign.

But having led 2-0 with four minutes of normal time remaining, she will be concerned at just how easily her side threw away a comfortable lead.

Chelsea's goalscorers on the day were the core of their past successes, striker Kerr showing why she would be a loss to the club should she leave upon the expiration of her contract in June.

She was one of their brightest players, alongside forward Alyssa Thompson and Lauren James, and was unfortunate not to have added to her tally.

Kerr was frustrated by a decision in the first half as referee Phoebe Cross deemed the ball to have gone out of play before Ellie Carpenter picked her out in the box.

Ex-England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis said on TNT Sports: "I'm not convinced that is over the line. In fact, it's not. It’s a let-off for Manchester City."

That decision, and a free-kick that went against Sjoeke Nusken inside City’s area late on - after a challenge on Aggie Beever-Jones from goalkeeper Keating - were reduced talking points after Chelsea had thrown away their two-goal lead.

Another of Kerr's finishes was ruled out for offside in the second half and Chelsea would come to rue those missed opportunities.

It has been a poor campaign by Chelsea's standards and this should fuel a busy summer of rebuilding to ensure they are in the running for next season's silverware.

What's next for both teams?

Chelsea will end their league season at home to Manchester United at 13:00 BST on Saturday, 16 May.

Manchester City will celebrate winning the WSL title in their final game of the season at West Ham on Saturday, 16 May (13:00 BST).

They take on Brighton in the FA Cup final on Sunday, 31 May (15:00 BST).

Player of the match

Number: 11 L. Hemp
Average rating 8.04
Number: 20 S. Kerr
Average Rating: 6.66
Number: 12 A. Thompson
Average Rating: 6.31
Number: 2 E. Carpenter
Average Rating: 6.24
Number: 10 L. James
Average Rating: 6.05
Number: 5 V. Buurman
Average Rating: 6.03
Number: 21 N. Charles
Average Rating: 6.03
Number: 8 E. Cuthbert
Average Rating: 5.98
Number: 33 A. Beever-Jones
Average Rating: 5.76
Number: 30 K. Walsh
Average Rating: 5.67
Number: 24 H. Hampton
Average Rating: 5.57
Number: 6 S. Nüsken
Average Rating: 5.42
Number: 26 K. Buchanan
Average Rating: 5.42
Number: 22 L. Bronze
Average Rating: 5.40
Number: 17 S. Baltimore
Average Rating: 5.38
Number: 19 J. Rytting Kaneryd
Average Rating: 5.33
Number: 18 W. Kaptein
Average Rating: 5.00

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

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