Chelsea and Arsenal will meet in the final of the delayed 2020/21 Women’s FA Cup, after both cruised to 3-0 wins over Manchester City and Brighton respectively.

Emma Hayes‘ Chelsea were the better team throughout their contest against Manchester City, although Gareth Taylor’s side could – and perhaps should – have taken the lead through England striker Ellen White when the scores were level.

Instead, it was the Blues who opened the scoring midway through the first half thanks to Erin Cuthbert. The Scottish winger rifled in a drive from the edge of the penalty area that City goalkeeper Karima Taieb should really have done a lot better with.

Chelsea doubled their lead five minutes later when German midfielder Melanie Leupolz punished some more slack defending from City – and more iffy goalkeeping from Taieb – and they never really looked like relinquishing their grip on the game thereafter.

Taieb redeemed herself somewhat with a string of fine saves as the game progressed, but there was nothing she could do about Beth England’s header a minute from time; the substitute converting from Jessie Fleming’s precise centre.

Later on in the day, Arsenal sealed their place in the final as Beth Mead scored one and assisted a further two goals in a 3-0 win over Brighton.

The Gunners have been electrifying to watch at times this season, seemingly inspired under their new boss Jonas Eidevall. Here, it was the same story, although Arsenal had to wait until five minutes into the second half before taking the lead through the in-form Kim Little.

Mead was the provider for that goal, and she took centre stage for the second – breaking from her own half at pace before combining with Jordan Nobbs to slot home into the far corner.

Leah Williamson wrapped things up 15 minutes from time – again assisted by Mead – to seal Arsenal’s place in the final for the first time since 2018. They played Chelsea on that occasion, too, losing 3-1 in front of over 45,000 at Wembley Stadium.