West Ham 1-4 Manchester City: City book place in Women's FA Cup final
- Published
Highlights: West Ham 1-4 Manchester City
Manchester City will compete for a fourth Women's FA Cup title after booking their place in Wembley's final with victory over West Ham.
City, who last won the competition in 2020, were put under early pressure from the hosts at Victoria Road but took a 2-0 lead through Ellen White and Chloe Kelly.
Kelly's goal - her first since returning from a serious knee injury - threatened to help City pull clear but Lisa Evans gave West Ham a lifeline minutes before half-time with a composed finish.
West Ham remained competitive but Lauren Hemp confirmed victory for City with two goals in the second half - spinning away from several players before firing it into the bottom corner for her first, then drilling in a second in stoppage time.
It was an entertaining semi-final in front of a raucous crowd in Dagenham, with plenty of chances for both teams.
City could have had several more with White having two headed goals ruled out - the first as Lucy Bronze failed to keep the ball in play, before White was offside when she was picked out by Keira Walsh.
The hosts came close through Tameka Yallop and Katerina Svitkova after the break but City hit the crossbar when Hemp teed up substitute Filippa Angeldahl.
City will face the winner of Sunday's match between the Women's Super League's top two Arsenal and Chelsea - live on BBC Two from 12:15 BST - in the final at Wembley on 15 May.
Emotional goal for City's Kelly
Chloe Kelly scored her first goal since returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury
It was an emotional occasion for Kelly, who was starting her first game for City since returning from an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury.
Her goal was gifted to her by West Ham defender Gilly Flaherty but it did not take anything away from what it meant to Kelly, who immediately jumped into the air, clenching her fists before being hugged by her team-mates.
She was smiling as she jogged back to the halfway line and exchanged words with manager Gareth Taylor. At half-time, she gestured to family in the stands before heading down the tunnel.
The stage speaks for itself - an FA Cup semi-final with a place at Wembley up for grabs. But the timing is also notable given it is only three months until England's opening game at the Euros.
If Kelly keeps scoring, playing regularly for City and can get near the level of form she showed before her injury, Lionesses' manager Sarina Wiegman could become interested.
'The best is yet to come from us' - reaction
West Ham goalscorer Lisa Evans is on loan from Arsenal
Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor, speaking to BBC Sport: "I feel really proud of this team. We've had a lack of preparation time off the back of the international break.
"Compared to our performance previously I thought some of our play was really good. We had some scary moments at times but we deserve our place in the final. It's great to look forward to a Wembley final."
Manchester City forward Chloe Kelly, speaking to BBC Sport: "It's brilliant to be back out there with the girls. To get the goal was even better. The team were brilliant today and throughout my injury they've been brilliant. It's great to repay the faith from the manager.
"The time I spent away was a difficult period. It's so lonely in the gym, but to get a goal within the first few minutes was brilliant for me. I'm loving every minute of it. The best is yet to come from us. Now we have an FA Cup final at Wembley where we can show our talent."
West Ham boss Olli Harder, speaking to BBC Sport: "It was just little details here and there. Congrats to Manchester City on their win. This doesn't define our season. It's been a really positive season for West Ham.
"We have three league games to go. We have three chances to be awesome. Let's see how high we can finish up the league. The gap between the top teams is closing. I don't think the scoreline reflected the game."
Former England defender Laura Bassett on BBC One: "West Ham will be very disappointed with the goals they conceded. There's such talent and potential. It will hurt. They came so close to a final."