Women's FA Cup: Everton 2-1 Chelsea - Toffees come from behind to beat WSL champions
- Published
Valerie Gauvin's winner means Everton remain in with a chance of winning the Women's FA Cup for the first time since 2010
Everton fought back to stun Chelsea and reach the Women's FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory at Goodison Park.
Chelsea opened the scoring through Scotland international Erin Cuthbert in the fourth minute, side-footing an effort beyond Everton keeper Sandy MacIver.
Everton equalised shortly before the break, as Lucy Graham finished Norway defender Ingrid Moe Wold's right-wing cross with a superb diving header.
And the Toffees took the lead in the 63rd minute with Valerie Gauvin heading beyond Chelsea keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, to knock out the reigning Women's Super League champions.
After taking an early lead, it looked as if the 2018 Women's FA Cup winners Chelsea were set for another big win, having scored 10 goals in their first two WSL fixtures.
And they nearly doubled their lead in the ninth minute, with MacIver saving well from Pernille Harder, and Fran Kirby seeing her headed rebound cleared off the line.
Everton netted their leveller against the run of play, but were nearly ahead in the 42nd minute when Australia international Hayley Raso rounded the keeper only to see her shot blocked by Chelsea's Jess Carter.
The visitors continued to dominate after the restart as MacIver kept out Kirby and Harder with fantastic reflex saves.
And as Chelsea pushed for the lead, Raso found some rare space upfield for the hosts, crossing to find half-time substitute Gauvin who netted her second goal as a Toffee.
Chelsea pressed late on but to no avail, with Everton now facing the winners of Brighton and Birmingham City on Wednesday, live on BBC Four (19:15 BST).