Manchester City completed a memorable domestic double with a resounding 4-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women's FA Cup final at Wembley. The result secured a fourth FA Cup title for the club and marked their first league and cup double in the women's game, adding the cup to their first Women's Super League crown in a decade.
The final appeared evenly poised for much of the opening half as Brighton, contesting their first major showpiece, created dangerous chances but failed to find the net. Fran Kirby and Kiko Seike both went close early on, yet it was City who took the lead against the run of play. The breakthrough came through Khadija Shaw, whose match-winner status was bolstered mere days after she inked a lucrative new contract—reversing a widely expected free transfer departure.
Shaw’s opener arrived in the 30th minute when Alex Greenwood floated a cross to the far post. The Jamaican international outjumped Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, nodding the ball into the net. Brighton appealed for a foul, but replays confirmed a fair aerial challenge, leaving Nnadozie beaten as the ball arced into the goal.
Greenwood, the city captain, doubled the advantage just before the interval with a superbly-struck free-kick. With many in the Brighton wall anticipating right-footer Kerolin to take the set piece, Greenwood stepped up and whipped the ball into the opposite corner, catching Nnadozie off guard. It was Greenwood’s first goal in over two years, a timely contribution on the grandest stage.
The second half became a procession for Manchester City, who exposed Brighton’s defensive vulnerabilities. Aoba Fujino added a third with a deflected effort that wrong-footed the Brighton keeper, before Vivianne Miedema, a second-half substitute, angled a header past Nnadozie to complete the rout. Both goals highlighted City’s ability to punish opponents clinically, as they turned half-chances into finishes.
Brighton, who had ridden their luck to reach the final, ultimately paid for their earlier profligacy. The south coast club had never before contested a Wembley final and sought to deliver a first major trophy to their history. Despite a promising start, they could not match City’s quality in the decisive moments, a harsh lesson in what it takes to win silverware at this level.
Shaw nearly snatched a second goal late on, but her rising strike was tipped over by Nnadozie. From the subsequent corner, Jade Rose looped a volley over the bar from Shaw’s cross, before the striker was withdrawn to a standing ovation. Her substitution allowed veteran midfielder Laura Coombs to enter the pitch for her final appearance before retirement, an emotional farewell for the fan favorite.
For City, the FA Cup triumph cements their status as one of England’s elite women’s teams. With four FA Cup wins (all since 2017), they lie fifth on the all-time winners list behind Chelsea, Doncaster Belles (both six titles), Southampton Women’s FC (eight), and record 14-time champions Arsenal. This victory also represents the first time the club has lifted the trophy in front of spectators since 2017, with their 2020 success played behind closed doors.
Manager Andrée Jeglertz, in his first season in charge, has now orchestrated a league and cup double—a feat that speaks volumes about the squad’s depth and winning mentality. The combination of Shaw’s goalscoring prowess, Greenwood’s set-piece mastery, and the contributions of players like Fujino and Miedema off the bench illustrates why City dominated the domestic scene this campaign.
Brighton’s journey to the final, while ending in disappointment, should not be overlooked. Reaching a Wembley showpiece is a significant milestone for the club, and the experience will serve as a foundation for future growth. However, the gulf in execution on the day was stark, as City’s big-game experience shone through.
The match also served as a microcosm of the shifting landscape in English women’s football. Manchester City have re-emerged as a powerhouse, ending Chelsea’s recent stranglehold on the WSL and now adding the cup. With a blend of established stars and promising talents, they appear well-positioned to sustain this success.
As the final whistle blew, the City players celebrated wildly with their fans, marking the end of a historic season. The double triumph not only rewards years of investment but also sets a new benchmark for the club’s women’s team, signaling their intent to remain at the summit of English football. Based on reporting from The Guardian.