FA Women's Cup: Chelsea Ladies 1-0 Manchester City Women

Ji So-Yun joined Chelsea from Japanese club Kobe Leonessa in 2014

Women's Super League leaders Chelsea made it through to the FA Women's Cup final at Wembley on 1 August with a narrow win over Manchester City.

Chelsea forward Eniola Aluko hit the post early in an even first half.

After the break, City pressed forward and Nikita Parris, Natasha Harding and Toni Duggan all went close.

But South Korea international Ji So-Yun settled the match late on with a low finish from outside the area to send Chelsea through to meet Notts County.

Emma Hayes's side remain unbeaten in all competitions so far this season.

Manchester City, playing on the ground where they won last season's Continental Cup final, went into the game without goalkeeper Karen Bardsley, but had England captain Steph Houghton making her first start of the season.

Both sides had early chances to take the lead, with Aluko seeing her shot trickle across the face of goal and hit the far post, before Parris fired narrowly wide at the other end after good work from Demi Stokes.

A low volley from City striker Duggan was comfortably saved by Hedvig Lindahl, before Houghton's free-kick flew straight at the Sweden international goalkeeper.

Chelsea slowly grew into the game and winger Gemma Davison forced Alex Brooks into a good low save before dragging a second effort wide of the target.

Brooks pulled off another fine save just before half-time to turn away Millie Bright's header.

After the break, City's Jennifer Beattie rose highest at a corner, but headed straight at Lindahl.

They then had their best chance, when Parris's fierce shot was saved and the rebound fell to Harding, who looked certain to score, but her shot was blocked on the line.

Parris then curled in a perfect cross and Lindahl produced a brave save to deny Duggan from close range.

Then came the game's decisive moment, as Bright rose well to head the ball forward to substitute Drew Spence, who held the ball up before squaring to PFA Player of the Year Ji, who finished superbly from outside the area to send Chelsea to Wembley.

Chelsea Ladies boss Emma Hayes told BBC Sport:

"For any team to get to Wembley is a dream come true, it really is.

"We played a very good Manchester City team, but a bit of quality in the final third from our little magician was the difference.

"I don't know why we didn't shoot more in the second half. It was a wonderful shot into the bottom corner. I'm very proud of her (Ji So-Yun)."

Manchester City Women manager Nick Cushing:

"I'm really proud of the players, the performance was exceptional.

"We asked them to come out after half-time and show what good players they are, because we wanted to dominate the ball, and we did that.

"We did everything apart from score, it feels horrible, but it's a good place to be in."

Chelsea: Lindahl, Blundell, Bright, Flaherty, Fahey, Davison (Spence 73), Aluko, Ji So-Yun, Rafferty, Chapman (c), Coombs (Borges 73).

Subs not used: Hourihan, Groenen, Banusic.

Manchester City: Brooks, Houghton (c), Bronze, Kadtke, Stokes, Nightingale, Beattie, Christiansen, Duggan, Harding (Johnson 81), Parris.

Sub not used: Bardsley, Flint, Lipman, McManus.