Everton 0-1 Chelsea: Catarina Macario scores again as holders reach FA Cup semis
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Everton 0-1 Chelsea: Macario scores as FA Cup holders edge through quarter-final
Catarina Macario scored her second goal in as many Chelsea games since returning from injury to secure them a place in the Women's FA Cup semi-finals as they edged past Everton.
Macario, who scored on her Chelsea debut last weekend after 20 months out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, turned home after an Aggie Beever-Jones pass in the second half to break the deadlock in a testing encounter.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said Macario was "the one bit of quality we needed to win the game".
Everton made life difficult for the Women's Super League leaders, pressing them with intensity and limiting the free space in the final third in a close first half.
The Toffees had the better early chances to open the scoring as Chelsea struggled to get going, Kathrine Kuhl twice forcing Zecira Musovic to react quickly and stop deflected efforts.
Everton boss Brian Sorensen said his side "should have taken advantage" of the dominance they enjoyed in the first half.
Chelsea, who should really scored before the break when Jelena Cankovic fired an effort wide from inside the Everton box, entered the second half with a renewed sense of purpose.
They enjoyed more space as Everton tired, and the introduction of substitutes proved to be the difference as the holders showcased their superiority.
"The difference for us was Cat Macario and that little bit of class," Hayes told BBC Sport. "It was the one bit of quality we needed to win the game.
"I thought Everton played well and probably deserved more from the game, but this is what you have to do.
"You have to grind results out. We did just about enough today."
Chelsea will find out their semi-final opponents in Tuesday's draw, which takes place at around 08:20 GMT during BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
"I think we dominated in the first half," said Toffees manager Sorensen.
"We were good in all the aspects of the game and should have taken advantage of it in the first half with the number of opportunities.
"Second half, we ran out of energy a bit and nearly got the equaliser. I'm a bit unhappy with the goal but overall I'm proud of the girls and the effort they put in.
"That's why it bothers me that we gave them an easy goal when we were sleeping. You just can't do that."
Chelsea grind out difficult win
This was not the controlling performance which has come to be expected when Chelsea take on Everton.
Hayes' side had won both of the two meetings between these sides so far this season, yet the Toffees were impressive on Sunday as their disciplined performance stifled their opponents' attacking presence.
They found it difficult to create chances from open play before the break, although former Everton defender Nathalie Bjorn nearly netted an early opener when she headed a corner on to the crossbar.
That was to be Bjorn's only set-piece threat, though, as the Swedish centre-back was forced off with a calf issue, adding to Chelsea's lengthening injury list.
This was the third game of eight in a congested March for the cup holders, who made six changes to rotate their depleted squad.
Chelsea emerged from the break looking to put their frustrating first half behind them, attacking with greater intensity and forcing Everton to sit deeper in defence.
They enjoyed more freedom, but it was Everton who nearly struck first, Musovic producing a fine stop to palm Elise Stenevik's free-kick on to the bar.
Yet Everton failed to capitalise on any of their chances and the goal gave Chelsea a much-needed cushion as they dug deep to see out the victory.
Katja Snoeijs typified Everton's shortcomings when she failed to meet a Rikke Madsen delivery in the six-yard box, missing a late chance to level the scoring.
Reaching the semi-final keeps alive Chelsea's dream of becoming just the second English side to secure a quadruple, with the WSL leaders already in the League Cup final and the Champions League quarter-finals.