Everton beat Birmingham to reach Women's FA Cup final

Everton produced another strong performance and continued their winning run by overcoming Birmingham City to reach the Women’s FA Cup final.

France striker Valerie Gauvin added a third late on for the dominant Toffees.

Everton will face either holders Manchester City or 14-time winners Arsenal at Wembley on 1 November.

The Merseyside club, who have won the cup twice, deservedly reached their first final since 2014 as they bid to lift the trophy for the first time since 2010.

Birmingham, who won the cup in 2012 and had hoped to reach their third final, appeared low on energy after battling past Brighton on penalties after extra time on Sunday and rarely looked likely to mount a comeback in the second half.

Everton earn fourth win from four

For Willie Kirk’s Everton, Wednesday’s victory was their fourth in four games since elite English women’s football resumed action earlier in September.

His side impressed once again, after a summer of eye-catching recruitment including the acquisition of France’s Gauvin, who netted her third goal in four substitute appearances for the club.

The Toffees had stunned league champions Chelsea with a 2-1 win in Sunday’s quarter-final and will quietly fancy their chances of pulling off another upset in the final.

Fit-again England midfielder Izzy Christiansen produced another fine display and neatly set up the opening goal with a through-ball for Magill to powerfully fire home.

Norway right-back Ingrid Moe Wold then crossed perfectly for another summer signing in Sorensen to add the second from close range. This was her first goal since signing from Danish side Brondby.

The hosts, who have a contrastingly thin squad and were only able to name five substitutes, were playing under new boss Carla Ward and will know their biggest task this season will be to stay in the Women’s Super League.

This Birmingham side were scarcely recognisable from the squad who reached the 2017 final with the likes of stars such as England striker Ellen White.

It comes after consecutive summers which have seen large numbers of players leave the West Midlands while WSL sides backed by men’s Premier League clubs have increased their investment.

Thursday’s second semi-final will be a meeting of two of the biggest spenders, as two-time winners Man City host a Gunners side who are bidding to extend their record of 14 FA Cup triumphs.

The final on 1 November comes after the Football Association opted to complete the 2019-20 cup competition following the the start of the new league campaign.

This is because of the postponement of the original quarter-final dates on 15 March because of coronavirus.

Birmingham ‘looked tired’ – reaction

Birmingham City manager Carla Ward told BBC Four:

“I think the way we’ve performed in the last few weeks and particularly in the quarter-final was exceptional, but from minute one tonight we looked flat.

“We looked tired and, I just said to them, the fact we’re all so disappointed says how far we’ve come in that time.

“But I don’t think we gave a good account of ourselves.”

Everton midfielder Izzy Christiansen:

“There was so much belief coming off the back of our win against Chelsea. We had a very quick turnaround but the way we’ve recovered, applied ourselves in training and adapted to a new game plan – I think we were the stronger side on the day.

“We’re all delighted, it’s been a collective effort.

“When I signed for Everton in January the first objective was to get to Wembley. There’s obviously a big, fat tick next to that now.”

Everton manager Willie Kirk:

“It’s a big thing for the club. We’ve never been to Wembley, although we’ve won FA Cups before and that’s what we want to get back to.

“I think they were great. I thought they were very professional. The performance was not perfect, but obviously good enough.”