Arsenal rallied in style to beat Tottenham 5-1 in their 2020-21 FA Women’s Cup quarter-final at Meadow Park. The visitors took a surprise early lead through Rachel Williams, but were overwhelmed as Jonas Eidevall’s side swept into the semi-finals. They will face Brighton in the last four – the Seagulls’ first Women’s FA Cup semi-final since 1975-76 – while Chelsea beat Birmingham to set up a meeting with Manchester City.
In a meeting between the top two in the Women’s Super League table, it was Spurs who struck first against Arsenal, with Williams firing a shot past Lydia Williams from the edge of the area in the third minute. Maya Iwabuchi then equalised with a fine finish of her own, finding the top corner in the 15th minute.
Arsenal kept pouring forward and took the lead just after the half-hour mark. Tobin Heath, who was making her first start for the Gunners, found Lotte Wubben-Moy at the far post with a free kick. Her cross-shot deflected in off Spurs defender Asmita Ale, and the hosts added a third just four minutes later.
Nikita Parris played a one-two with Iwabuchi before crossing low for Caitlin Foord to score, and it was 4-1 on the stroke of half-time as Parris flicked a corner beyond Spurs keeper Rebecca Spencer. In the second half, Williams got down well to deny Chioma Ubogagu before Foord added her second. The Australian forward finished off a quick break, stretching to prod home from Beth Mead’s pass.
Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw hit a hat-trick as Manchester City progressed to the last four with a flurry of second-half goals in a 6-0 home win over Leicester. Gareth Taylor’s side were held in the first half but took the lead through Shaw’s first goal soon after the restart. Spanish midfielder Vicky Losada made it two with a powerful finish.
Jamaica international Shaw got her second from a corner, before Alex Greenwood scored from the penalty spot after Esmee de Graaf had brought down Lauren Hemp in the area. Shaw completed her hat-trick with five minutes to go and there was still time for Filippa Angeldal to add a sixth at the Academy Stadium.
Fran Kirby scored two goals in two minutes to help secure Chelsea’s semi-final date with Manchester City, with the Blues initially struggling to break down a stubborn Birmingham. Sam Kerr was the one to break Birmingham’s defence with a header on the hour mark before Kirby’s double and a fourth goal by Pernille Harder in stoppage time.
Brighton edged past Championship side Charlton thanks to Felicity Gibbons’ second-half volley.