The stage was set in Liverpool, as Everton welcomed Chelsea to Walton Hall Park for the quarter-final stages of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

Emma Hayes’ Chelsea had eyes on progression to the semi-final stages with silverware in mind, after booking their spot in the final of the FA Continental Cup midweek. Chelsea made six changes from their mid-week clash against Manchester City, including a change of goalkeeper with Zecira Mušović replacing Hannah Hampton. A change of forwards sees Aggie Beever-Jones, Fran Kirby and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd start, forming Chelsea’s front three. 

The home side made the quarter-final stages through a convincing 7-1 victory of Nottingham Forest. Despite being viewed as the underdogs in their clash with Chelsea, Everton provided a strong performance applying pressure to Chelsea. Brian Sørensen only made two changes to his starting lineup from last weekend, with captain Megan Finnigan returning in defence after a spell on the sidelines due to illness.

EVE: Brosnan; Wheeler, Vanhaevermaet, Bennison, Piemonte, Payne, Finnigan, Kühl, Galli, Snoeijs, Stenevik

CHE: Mušović; Périsset, Björn, Nüsken, Carter, Ingle, Cuthbert, Čanković, Kaneryd, Beever-Jones, Kirby

As the game kicked off, both teams were seeking an early attack. Early pressure applied by both teams saw end to end football, before each side respectively looked to settle into the match.

Chelsea had an early chance to score through a run from Aggie Beever-Jones, however the English forward’s shot was deflected out and away for a corner. With the first corner cleared for another corner by Everton’s Martina Piemonte, Nathalie Bjorn met the second delivery, heading the ball towards goal only to be narrowly denied by the crossbar.

Everton were quick to reply, as Katherine Kühl hitting a low shot which was intercepted by Nathalie Björn, consequently deflected for an Everton corner. The Toffees were unable to convert the corner, with Chelsea denying their chance to score on the advance.

An early change came in the 13th minute, as Niamh Charles replaced Nathalie Björn who left the pitch due to injury.

Everton once again found a chance in front of goal, with Martina Piemonte taking a shot outside the box. Her strike however was blocked by the Chelsea defence, but fell to Katherine Kühl who sent a shot towards the bottom left corner, forcing Zećira Mušović to dive and send the ball round the post. Everton followed with a corner, which was unable to find the head of an Everton player. The attempt to clear by Chelsea met the feet of Katja Snoeijs, who sent a shot just wide of the left corner.

Chelsea struggled to find an attack against Everton, who were applying pressure to the Chelsea defence. Chelsea found a break towards the Everton goal, with Erin Cuthbert expertly sourcing an advancing Jelena Čanković in the field’s left areas. Čanković played a cross into the box to Fran Kirby, which was easily collected by Courtney Brosnan between the posts.

Everton were now building momentum having eyes on breaking the deadlock at Walton Park. A delivery from Heather Payne proved difficult for Chelsea who were unable to clear the ball from the box. As the ball met multiple Everton players in the scramble, Chelsea were then able to clear the ball from their box and away from potential danger.

Everton continued to apply the pressure on the Chelsea back line, as Aurora Galli provided a promising chance for The Toffees. A ball sent through the legs of Sjoeke Nusken provided Katherine Kühl a chance to score, however the line-break was not read well by the midfielder, with Zecira Musovic picking up the ball.

Chelsea responded to Everton’s pressure, applying pressure of their own. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd had a chance to cross from the right wing, however was unable to find a player. The ball then fell to Sophie Ingle outside the box, who hit a shot into the hands of Courtney Brosnan.

With both sides having multiple chances to attack, halftime loomed and the scoreline was still 0-0. In the dying minutes of the half, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd made a run down the right wing, crossing the ball to Jelena Čanković. With space to score, Čanković sent the ball towards the net, however was unable to get the right angle on her shot, sending it wide left.

As the second half began, Chelsea sprang straight into action in search of a goal. With two early chances, Chelsea found a corner however were unable to find a goal.

A ball through to Fran Kirby on the right wing was played perfectly for a cross, which met Erin Cuthbert in the box. However, Courtney Brosnan easily collected the ball as Cuthbert was unable to aim her shot.

Similar to the first half, Everton were searching to find chances of their own. Despite the best efforts from the home side, this did not rattle Chelsea who were able to apply to apply a composed pressure to halt the advancing Toffees.

The hosts had an opportunity to open the scoreline, as a ball from Kathrine Kühl found Katja Snoeijs, who sent the ball across the Chelsea net and into the danger zone. Despite a stellar advancement, no teammate was able to meet her cross inside of the area.

With Jess Carter receiving a yellow for a foul on Heather Payne, Everton had a freekick just outside the box. The free kick sent in from Elise Stenevik rattled the woodwork with Everton still in search of a goal.

As the game still stood 0-0, Emma Hayes made three changes to her Chelsea side in the 63rd minute. Lauren James, Melanie Leupolz and Catarina Macario replaced Jelena Čanković, Sophie Ingle and Fran Kirby.

Chelsea’s substitution evidently brough new life to the game, with Catarina Macario opening the scoreline in the 66th minute. A ball from Aggie Beever-Jones across the front of goal found the feet of Macario, who slotted the ball cleverly to send Brosnan’s net rippling in the final half hour.

The Blues were building momentum, with a corner given. Despite this being deflected, Chelsea recycled this chance, with a perfectly placed cross sent into the danger area. Though the searching effort was unable to find any Chelsea players, as the Blues failed to double their advantage.

Everton found a chance of their own, with a break from Madsen, who turned to evade her markers. She sent the ball towards Martina Piemonte, whose shot at goal was deflected out and away by a tracking Sjoeke Nusken.

Everton had a chance to equalise, with a cross from Rikke Madsen sent across the feet of Katja Snoeijs who had a foot on the ball but was unable to steer it goalwards. With Everton still in search of a goal, Brian Sorensen made two changes to his team. Katja Snoeijs and Hannah Bennison were replaced by Eleanor Dale and Emma Bissell.

Lauren James looked to increase Chelsea’s lead, shooting from outside the box, however sent her attempt wide. Everton responded with an attack however were unable to get past a determined Chelsea defence.

Despite a nervy ending, Chelsea saw out their win in the closing stages through tactical gameplay, applying pressure to Everton and denying them any chance to score. Their 1-0 victory over Brian Sorensen’s Everton sees Chelsea progress into the semi-final stages of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.