WHAT HAPPENED
A Vivianne Miedema brace booked our place in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup final on Thursday night, as we ran out 2-1 winners over Manchester United.
The Netherlands international has now scored 25 goals in all competitions this season, while Louise Quinn delivered a dominant defensive performance on her 50th appearance for the club.
Katie McCabe carved open the game’s first chance, shifting the ball on to her left foot and firing over from the edge of the box, before Jess Sigsworth raced beyond Emma Mitchell and fizzed a low effort narrowly wide.
The visitors then went on to enjoy a brief spell of possession, but this created space for us to attack - and following an inch-perfect pass from Dominique Bloodworth, Miedema opened the scoring.
The Netherlands international latched on to Bloodworth’s incisive pass, raced through on goal and poked the ball past Siobhan Chamberlain with great composure.
Chances were few and far between for the remainder of the first half, but on the stroke of half-time, Quinn had a golden opportunity to double our advantage only to see her powerful effort cleared by some fine defending from Katie Zelem.
United troubled us with their defensive organisation during the first half, but following the break, we wasted no time in stamping our authority on the Championship side.
Beth Mead and Leah Williamson forced Chamberlain into saves, before Miedema stepped up once again to make the difference.
The 22-year-old received the ball inside the box, shifted the ball on to her left foot and fired into the back of the net for her second of the evening.
United pulled one back in the 83rd minute through Katie Green, but our defence stood strong to ensure there would be no late drama.
WHAT’S NEXT
We will face Manchester City in the final of the competition on Saturday, February 23.
The game will take place at Bramall Lane with kick-off at 12.15pm (UK time).
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