Kelly Smith’s penalty and Freda Ayisi’s low effort allowed Shelley Kerr’s team to avenge the loss to the same FA Women’s Super League rivals in the Champions League quarter-final in March.
Arsenal played with plenty of vigour in the first half, but were repeatedly unable to find the final ball they needed to get through the Birmingham defence.
Birmingham City Ladies 1-2 Arsenal Ladies
FA Women's Cup
Sixth Round
Sunday 4 May
By Pippa Field
And City showed them how it was done on 30 minutes, with Remi Allen rising to nod Kirsty Linnett’s cross past Gunners keeper Siobhan Chamberlain.
Arsenal equalised from the spot nine minutes later after Jade Moore was penalised for handball by referee Geoffrey Laws, with Smith putting her penalty in off the post to Rebecca Spencer’s right.
Melissa Lawley should have restored Blues’ lead five minutes after the break from Karen Carney’s cross, but instead blazed her volley well over the bar.
Ayisi punished that miss four minutes later, finding the bottom corner after Birmingham failed to defend a throw-in.
City were unable to offer a response, with a strong penalty shout turned down in the 73rd minute for Leah Williamson’s tussle to dispossess Lawley.
Birmingham (4-2-3-1)
Spencer; Weston, Mannion, Harrop, Carter; Moore, Potter; Carney, Allen (Westwood 70), Lawley (Keryakoplis 75); Linnett.
Subs not used
Sargeant, Baggaley, Wilkinson.
Bookings: Weston 67.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Chamberlain; Scott, Stoney, Williamson, Mitchell; Bailey (Weir 90), Kinga; Carter (Murray 90+3), Smith, Ayisi (Yankey 71); Ohno.
Subs not used
Fahey, Sampson.
Bookings: none.
Attendance: 487
Referee: G. Laws
