Holders Chelsea beat Spurs to reach Women's FA Cup semis
Veerle Buurman scores a late winner as holders Chelsea beat Tottenham to reach the Women's FA Cup semi-finals.
Women's FA Cup Chelsea 2 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur FT Veerle Buurman scored her first Chelsea goal to send the Blues into the FA Cup semi-finals [Getty Images] Veerle Buurman scored a late winner as holders Chelsea beat Tottenham to reach the Women's FA Cup semi-finals. Sam Kerr put Chelsea ahead in the 40th minute when she headed home via the post from Keira Walsh's cross. Spurs responded after the break, with Eveliina Summanen's free-kick evading everyone in the box and flying over England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton's head for an equaliser.
Chelsea had a chance to retake the lead in the 82nd minute, but Kerr was unable to add a finishing touch to Wieke Kaptein's superb ball across the six-yard box. With extra-time on the horizon, Buurman unleashed a fierce strike from the edge of the area to send Chelsea into the last four. The Blues, who were knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal last week, had several early opportunities before they took a first-half lead on Monday.
Lauren James' curling effort looked set for goal before a vital interception from Spurs goalkeeper Lize Kop. Alyssa Thompson was also denied by Kop, who reacted well to the forward's first-time strike at the near post. But Buurman's first Chelsea goal gave her side a much-needed win going into the international break.
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