Manchester United will have the opportunity to defend their Adobe Women’s FA Cup title at Wembley after securing a 2-0 victory over local rivals Manchester City at the Joie Stadium.
Celin Bizet, who had been on the opposing side at Wembley last year, gave the visitors an early lead after latching on to a brilliant ball over the top from Ella Toone.
United did not take long to bag their second, either, as Grace Clinton headed home from a corner.
While City came out stronger after the break, Phallon Tullis-Joyce ensured victory for the red side of Manchester with a fine display between the sticks to set up a final tie with Chelsea.
They're off to Wembley... AGAIN 🔴
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) April 13, 2025
The holders, @ManUtdWomen are #AdobeWomensFACup Finalists 🏆 pic.twitter.com/n6DjKZgeiL
Nick Cushing opted for two changes from his side’s 2-1 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion as Kerolin and Laia Aleixandri returned to the starting XI.
For Manchester United, Marc Skinner also saw fit to make just the two changes from his side’s 2-0 victory against Everton.
Both switches were made in defence where Millie Turner returned from injury and Gabby George took the place of Anna Sandberg.
It was United who struck first to take an early lead at the Joie Stadium through Bizet.
Toone clipped a delightful ball from deep in the midfield into the path of Bizet in the box who cut back to create space before firing her shot into the right side-netting.
United continued their dominance and things went from bad to worse for Manchester City as Mary Fowler was forced off with a knee injury, leaving them to turn to an already depleted bench earlier than anticipated.
It kept the momentum with United who soon made it pay on 22 minutes as George put her corner from the left on a plate for Clinton.
The England midfielder had found space centrally in the box after losing her marker, Gracie Prior, and glanced home with ease to nestle the ball in at the far post.
Super from Celin 🤩#AdobeWomensFACup pic.twitter.com/40aTyaVBkg
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) April 13, 2025
Khiara Keating stopped further damage for the hosts moments later as she tipped a stinging shot from Toone over the bar from close range.
City’s best chance of the first half emerged from a moment of brilliance by Kerolin who hit a first-time volley from the edge of the box with her back to goal but saw the effort tipped over the bar by Tullis-Joyce.
While City took confidence from the chance, the visitors kept pushing and United and Bizet should have had their second were it not for the vital intervention of Keating.
With the Norwegian clear on goal at the right post, Keating closed down the angle to save her shot from close range before Bizet put the rebound wide.
While Aleixandri tried her luck from 30 yards just before the break, it was an effort that summed up City’s struggles in a first half dominated by their Manchester rivals.
The hosts, however, came out after the break with a point to prove as Jess Park proved a lively instigator in the centre of midfield, but they still struggled to create opportunities.
At the other end opportunities were not the problem as Bizet cut back for Elisabeth Terland who found herself free at the edge of the box but blazed the chance over.
Moments later, City had the chance to capitalise on such profligacy as Kerolin drew a foul from Clinton on the edge of the box.
But Tullis-Joyce proved equal to Yui Hasegawa’s free-kick, tipping onto the bar before completing her double save with a sublime reactive stop to deny Lily Murphy’s follow-up and preserve her clean sheet.
INCREDIBLE 😱
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) April 13, 2025
Phallon Tullis-Joyce with an unbelievable double save for @ManUtdWomen 🤯#AdobeWomensFACup pic.twitter.com/Ibry39WCeU
In a fraught period in the middle of the second half, events were equally as frantic in the City goalmouth as Naomi Layzell was forced to cut out Clinton’s pass across the box before Keating saved from Bizet from close range.
Despite City’s best efforts, Manchester United proved resistant in defence and flexed their comparative depth with a series of changes in the closing stages.
While Tullis-Joyce was forced to claim a bouncing ball over the top in additional time, it allowed the visitors a sense of control in the final minutes as they cruised into a place in the final.
As well as ensuring Manchester bragging rights, it sets up a chance to right the wrongs of United’s 2023 final loss to Chelsea and keeps hopes of FA Cup retention alive.
