Blues pushed WSL leaders Manchester City all the way at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park but fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarter-final.
Blues started brightly at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, showing no signs of being overawed by their WSL opposition. Early breaks from Lotta Lindström and Lily Crosthwaite offered promise, but both were dealt with well by City.
Despite that positive start, Manchester City struck first. Khadija Shaw was played through and lifted the ball over Lucy Thomas to open the scoring inside seven minutes.
Crosthwaite’s pace continued to trouble the visitors. She dispossessed Alex Greenwood inside the City box and drove forward before flashing a dangerous ball across goal, but no Blues attacker could get on the end of it.
Blues continued to apply pressure. Crosthwaite’s delivery from the right on 18 minutes caused problems again, but Khiara Keating gathered well to deny the equaliser.
Asato Miyagawa impressed in midfield, winning possession on 21 minutes before driving Blues forward. Crosthwaite was initially cut off by Greenwood, but a heavy touch from the defender earned Blues a corner. Océane Hurtré’s delivery found Shannon Cooke, but her effort lacked direction and went behind for a goal kick.
Both sides showed attacking intent, with Blues forcing City to work hard for every moment. Merricks’ side matched their opponents physically and made life difficult for the WSL leaders.
City threatened again on 38 minutes, as Shaw’s effort took a deflection and struck the post. Blues held strong for the remainder of the half, and headed in 1-0 down at the break.
The visitors began the second half strongly, with Shaw again finding space in Blues’ half. Shannon Cooke stood firm, outmuscling the forward to regain possession.
As the half wore on, City struggled to add to their lead. Despite enjoying the majority of possession early in the second half, they were unable to capitalise.
Veatriki Sarri made an immediate impact after coming on in the 62nd minute. A poor clearance from Keating was won by Shanade Hopcroft, who fed Sarri. She lifted a cross towards Lindström, but Keating reacted well to gather.
Blues grew into the game with renewed momentum. Crosthwaite again broke down the right on 73 minutes, picking out Lindström, but Keating just got there first.
Lucy Thomas produced a standout save on 79 minutes, tipping an effort onto the crossbar and gathering. Moments later, miscommunication at the back saw Greenwood leave a bouncing ball for Keating. Crosthwaite chased it down and was caught by the goalkeeper, prompting loud appeals from the home crowd, but the referee waved play on.
Thomas was called into action again on 89 minutes, denying Yui Hasegawa in a one-on-one with a strong hand to turn the ball over.
With seven minutes added, Blues pushed for a late equaliser. Shannon Cooke sent one final ball forward, but City dealt with it and the referee brought the game to a close, as Blues fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat.
A proud effort from Amy Merricks’ side, who many had written off before a ball was even kicked. Manchester City progress to the semi-finals, where they will face Chelsea, but they leave St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park with newfound respect for Blues, who pushed them right to the end.
Blues: Lucy Thomas, Neve Herron (c), Shannon Cooke, Rebecca McKenna, Hannah Silcock (Rebecca Holloway, 84), Asato Miyagawa (Chelsea Cornet, 84), Océane Hurtré, Lotta Lindström (Wilma Leidhammar, 75), Shanade Hopcroft, Lily Crosthwaite (Lucy Quinn, 84), Lee Geum-Min (Veatriki Sarri, 62)
Subs not used: Poppy Irvine, Martha Harris, Michaela Kovacs, Batcheba Louis
Manchester City: Khiara Keating, Jade Rose, Alex Greenwood (c), Laura Coombs (Kerolin, 64), Khadija Shaw (Mary Fowler, 69), Lauren Hemp, Leila Ouahabi, Sam Coffey, Aoba Fujino, Iman Beney (Kerstin Casparij, 69), Yui Hasegawa
Subs not used: Eartha Cumings, Laura Blindkilde Brown, Rebecca Knaak, Gracie Prior, Aemu Oyama, Lily Murphy