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Sunday, April 12, 2026

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Adobe Women’s FA Cup

Brighton & Hove Albion produced a superb performance to knock out Arsenal with a 2-0 victory and book their place in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup semi-finals.

Madison Haley broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half with a powerful finish, before Caitlin Hayes headed home the second just after the hour mark at the Mangata Developments Stadium in Boreham Wood.

Arsenal, who had reached the Champions League semi finals in midweek, tested goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie on several occasions but failed to find a breakthrough. Brighton started strongly, with Jelena Cankovic, Charlie Rule and Manuela Vanegas all going close early on.Nnadozie produced a brilliant point blank save to deny Smilla Holmberg, while Stina Blackstenius was denied by the woodwork. Haley then exchanged passes with Fran Kirby before blasting a fierce strike into the top corner for the opener.

Despite a triple substitution from Renee Slegers – introducing Alessia Russo, Olivia Smith and Caitlin Foord – Arsenal could not respond. Hayes sealed the win with a towering header from Kirby’s corner at the back post. Nnadozie made another fine late save to deny Laia Codina as the 14-time winners bowed out.

Liverpool advanced to the semi finals with a hard fought 1-0 extra time victory over Barclays Women’s Championship side Charlton Athletic at The Valley. Zara Shaw, making her return from a year-long absence following an ACL injury, scored the winner in the 96th minute as penalties loomed.

Liverpool dominated possession but found Charlton’s defence difficult to break down. Mia Enderby saw an early header tipped over, while Denise O’Sullivan spurned two late first half chances. After a goalless 90 minutes, a corner led to a chaotic goalmouth scramble in which Shaw stabbed the ball home through a crowded box. Charlton could not find a response as Liverpool progressed to the last four.

Holders Chelsea kept their trophy defence alive with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in an entertaining encounter. Sam Kerr opened the scoring on 40 minutes with a powerful header from a Keira Walsh cross. Tottenham equalised seven minutes after the break through a sumptuous free kick from Eveliina Summanen.

The tie was decided four minutes from time when Veerle Buurman fired home a stunning strike for her first goal for Chelsea.

Manchester City battled past a valiant Birmingham City side with a 1-0 win to complete the line up in the last four. Khadija Shaw scored the only goal after just eight minutes, coolly finishing from a brilliant pass by Iman Beney.

Birmingham started brightly and defended resolutely, restricting the Cityzens despite their heavy possession. The visitors hit the woodwork three times – including a Shaw effort that deflected onto the bar – but they could not add a second. Goalkeeper Lucy Thomas produced several fine saves, notably denying Yui Hasegawa twice late on, but Shaw’s early strike proved enough as City booked their place in the semi finals.