After some difficult results and disappointing performances in recent weeks, Chelsea looked much better here, controlling the match and creating numerous chances. On many occasions, they were only prevented from taking the lead thanks to great saves from Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who repelled dangerous shots from Alyssa Thompson, Erin Cuthbert, and Lauren James in the first half. And when the American seemed beaten, after a ball rebounded in the area following a corner, Dominique Janssen was there to clear off the goal line.

After keeping the Blues at bay, Manchester United grew into the game in the second half and seemed closer to scoring for a good while, with a notable chance for Jess Park, who had wasted a good opportunity in the first half, smashing a powerful shot against the post of Hannah Hampton's goal.

Earlier, a shot from Lisa Naalsund went just wide, while Melvine Malard could not capitalize on a good pass from Ellen Wangerheim, and her half-volley effort went well off target.

Just when the match seemed headed for extra time, Kerr came to Chelsea's rescue and scored her ninth goal in 10 matches against United with an excellent finish just 12 minutes from time. But the Blues could only hold that lead for a couple of minutes, as Awujo responded with a clever finish that put the match back on track for extra time.

However, that only delayed the inevitable, as Girma took nine minutes to score the match's third goal from a set-piece play, after Tullis-Joyce made another spectacular save to deny Veerle Buurman. This keeps the Blues' FA Cup title defense alive, and Bompastor and her team will learn their quarterfinal opponents on Monday.

Standout players:

Lauren James: dictated play while completing just her second 90 minutes of the season. She created many good opportunities and was involved in most of Chelsea's best moves.

Naomi Girma: excellent in possession, solid at the back and with a sharp instinct to score the decisive goal.

Sam Kerr: provided a focal point to the attack and was excellent every time she could get involved. Great finish to break the deadlock, won every single one of her duels, and ensured United's defense always had something to worry about.

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