Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals: tie-by-tie evaluation of the weekend video games | Women’s FA Cup

Arsenal v Brighton

Riding excessive after their Champions League quarter-final win over Chelsea, Arsenal are able to push on within the FA Cup. The WSL title could also be virtually actually out of sight following Manchester City’s spectacular victory over Manchester United, however the probability to go for a European and home cup double may be very a lot there. Brighton stand in the way in which of securing a second cup semi-final inside six days. Last weekend Dario Vidosic’s facet earned a primary WSL win since their 23 January defeat of Everton, securing a 1-0 win over bottom-placed Leicester. The Seagulls sit sixth within the WSL, eight factors behind Tottenham and solely forward of London City Lionesses on aim distinction. They are seven factors off of final season’s complete with 4 video games remaining. However, these 4 video games are in opposition to Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs and inconsistency has blighted their marketing campaign. The hope can be that they face a drained Arsenal after their Champions League exploits, with the 1-0 second-leg defeat to Chelsea a frantic and exhausting match. That is probably an formidable ask given the depth at Arsenal’s disposal and the shape they’re in, Wednesday night time’s inconsequential defeat being their first loss since 21 January.

Charlton v Liverpool

Three defeats of their final 4 video games have dealt a hefty blow to Charlton’s WSL2 title aspirations with two video games to play. The Addicks have slipped into second within the league, degree on factors with leaders Birmingham, who’ve a far superior aim distinction, and solely six factors forward of Crystal Palace, who’ve a sport in hand. They even have trickier video games than Palace, who got here from behind to safe a 3-2 win over Karen Hills’ facet on Sunday, together with a crucial sport in opposition to Birmingham on the ultimate day. There is even the slim probability they might end exterior the highest three and miss out on the prospect of promotion altogether, ought to Newcastle win their remaining three video games and Charlton collapse. The London facet might subsequently be forgiven for taking their eye off the ball within the FA Cup. However, the affect of a win over a resurgent Liverpool, who’ve misplaced solely two of their final 10 video games, could be a big morale booster. For Gareth Taylor’s Liverpool facet, development to the FA Cup semi-finals could be a simply reward for his or her spectacular climb off the underside of the WSL desk after an necessary January switch window breathed life into their depleted squad.

Chelsea v Tottenham

Nothing will save Chelsea from feeling disillusioned on the finish of the season, such are the ambitions of the membership, however an FA Cup win to safe a home cup double would assist elevate the stress after their Champions League exit and the seemingly relinquishing of their WSL title. Key to Chelsea progressing on the expense of Tottenham is being extra medical. Sonia Bompastor’s facet weren’t dangerous in opposition to Arsenal, fairly the alternative, however they didn’t profit from their possibilities. Injuries have been an enormous downside too, stretching the squad so skinny that Lucy Bronze has began the final two video games at centre-back. Criticism of Bompastor has grown louder in current months, however with change on the high of the ladies’s workforce after the departure of Paul Green, mounting accidents and an more and more aggressive league, that’s maybe a bit misplaced. They meet a Tottenham workforce who’ve had consecutive 5-2 defeats by Manchester City and Arsenal. However, Martin Ho’s facet have already exceeded expectations this season and the stress is off. With Chelsea threadbare and having performed in midweek, they’ve a chance to trigger an upset that would actually rattle the house facet.

Birmingham City v Manchester City

Ambitious Birmingham City’s 1-0 defeat of Sunderland coupled with Charlton’s defeat by Crystal Palace meant they moved to the highest of the WSL2 desk on Wednesday night time. The WSL2 title and promotion to the WSL is now of their arms. They can be using excessive, however in opposition to FA Cup quarter-final opponents Manchester City their Cup run will certainly come to an finish. Andrée Jeglertz’s workforce earned an emphatic 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford final Saturday to keep up their nine-point lead on the high of the WSL, with video games in opposition to Brighton, Liverpool and West Ham remaining. City are in formidable kind, with a aim distinction of 40, 22 better than that of Chelsea in second and 14 forward of third-placed Arsenal. Now the title is all however wrapped up, they will flip consideration to a league and Cup double. City secured their solely WSL title in 2016 and their third FA Cup win in 2020. For the extent of funding put into the workforce, the silverware drought has been an enormous letdown. This season, they’ve capitalised on their lack of Champions League soccer and they’re going to have a squad robust sufficient to mount an actual problem throughout all 4 competitions subsequent season. Birmingham are having an incredible yr, however with Khadija Shaw, Vivianne Miedema and Kerolin first, third and fifth among the many WSL’s main scorers this season, the prospect of the Midlands workforce conserving them at bay is slim. Should they (or Charlton) spring an enormous shock, they’d change into the primary workforce from exterior the highest flight to achieve the ultimate 4 since Everton in 2014-15.