Mary Earps threw down her gloves and let out a roar that banished the frustrations of a disappointing season, for an afternoon at least. Manchester United had finally beaten Chelsea, earning revenge for last season's Women's FA Cup final defeat to Emma Hayes's side to book their return to Wembley.
Before then, as a season teetered on the brink, the holders threw everything they had at United and Earps was forced to pull off a string of brilliant saves, twice denying Lauren James, dragging United through. There were wild celebrations at full-time, but also relief and vindication. "This season has been so hard," Earps revealed. "It's been mentally brutal."
Clearly, that was not the plan. United have regressed dramatically in the Women's Super League this campaign, falling from second to fifth, from title challengers to 12 points off the Champions League places. It has brought scrutiny and dissent towards the manager, Marc Skinner, who is out of contract at the end of the month and has hardly shown that he merits a new one, with United set to be replaced by Liverpool in the top four.
The FA Cup has therefore come to represent an all-or-nothing quest for United. They will be favourites when they take on firsttime finalists Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley tomorrow, but that comes with additional pressure, too. United's season will be a failure should they lose, it will be saved if the club lifts its first trophy, six years on from the formation of the women's team.
Esta historia es de la edición May 11, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 11, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Across France for £1.35 per day: the deal of the summer
If you're 27 or under (and can jump through a few hoops), PassRail is a cross-Channel bargain, writes Simon Calder
Bitingly funny adaptation is the match of beloved book
Hailed as a Black British answer to 'Bridget Jones' Diary' on its release, hit novel 'Queenie' jumps to the small screen with all of its comedic charm intact, writes Katie Rosseinsky
Still covering all the bases
Ever the curmudgeon of popular music, Van Morrison is back with his 45th album and a characteristically mercurial night of covers at the Royal Albert Hall, writes Louis Chilton
Knee injury forces Djokovic to pull out of French Open
Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the French Open due to a knee injury sustained during his fourth-round win over Francisco Cerundolo on Monday.
Middle England dilemma is a step into the unknown
There have been 77 England matches since Trent Alexander Arnold debuted in 2018. If he had played in them all, he would be level on caps already with Terry Butcher, wedged between John Terry and Tom Finney.
I'm not 'chuffed' to hear these words show my age
A whole raft of 'slang' words have been declared obsolete, according to new research, but Sam Leith says don't worry... it's only a matter of time before they come back into fashion
Tory party's smear campaign on Starmer the DPP is OTT
In a general election, it is right that the leadership qualities of prospective prime ministers are thoroughly examined and assessed.
Hunter Biden's drug habits under spotlight in gun trial
Federal prosecutors yesterday painted Joe Biden's son Hunter as a man whose dark habits ensnared loved ones and who knew what he was doing when he lied on federal forms to purchase a gun in 2018.
India's election leaves Modi with a diminished mandate
Narendra Modi's apparent failure to win an outright majority in India's general election will spark conflict within his party and limit his mandate to carry out sweeping reforms in a historic third consecutive term.
Modi secures historic third term but loses his majority
India's PM must rely on BJP allies to form an administration
