Man United end Chelsea's treble hopes, Tottenham beat Leicester to reach first FA Cup final in thrilling semi-finals

There'll be a new name engraved on the Women's FA Cup next month, as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur set up a Wembley date.

Spurs came from behind in their semi-final to defeat Leicester City 2-1, as Jutta Rantala's superb early strike was eventually cancelled out by Jessica Naz, before Martha Thomas became the extra-time hero.

It ensured they made the showpiece event for the first time in club history, denying Leicester the same achievement. Manager Robert Vilahamn made a third straight domestic cup final, having guided Hacken to the Swedish equivalent in both 2022 and 2023.

United then stopped Chelsea's push for a fourth straight FA Cup crown, enjoying revenge over the Blues in a repeat of last season's final.

Lucia Garcia gave the Red Devils a dream start by heading home in the first minute, before Rachel Williams doubled the lead. Former United star Lauren James pulled one back just before half-time, but a disciplined display from her ex-teammates was enough to see out the second half.

Two weeks ago, Chelsea were on course for a quadruple in Emma Hayes' final season in charge of Chelsea, but a double is now the height of their ambitions. London rivals Arsenal won the League Cup final, and United have now dumped them out of a second domestic cup competition.

In the first game of the day, Spurs were the favourites heading into Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, having won their most recent game there against bitter rivals Arsenal.

The visitors, meanwhile, approached the task winless in their last four Women's Super League games, and under the control of interim manager Jennie Foster - who had only taken the reins due to the suspension of Willie Kirk amid allegations of misconduct.

However, it was Leicester that made the brighter start. The first chance of the game was a warning shot, Sam Tierney capitalising on sloppy play at the back before firing wide.

Spurs responded with a pair of opportunities which Celin Bizet squandered. The first saw The Foxes' defence sliced open with one ball from Grace Clinton, but Bizet's great first touch only set up a shot straight at Lize Kop from close range.

The Norwegian forward was in again soon after, a wayward finish letting off her opponents in a two-on-two, but it was an attack that showed both teams could be got at with relative ease.

Rantala stunned the North Londoners as Leicester took the lead, cutting in from the right after being allowed acres of space, before blasting a rocket past Rebecca Spencer with her left boot.

Tierney should have doubled the advantage by the quarter-hour, receiving the ball on the edge of the six-yard box and stepping onto it at a perfect time, but fumbled the effort.

It turned out to be costly, as Spurs then began to drag proceedings into their rhythm, despite the impressive Deanne Rose threatening throughout with her direct play from the left flank.

Naz and Clinton had half-chances in the first half, before the former looked laboured and devoid of smart decision making in the second, as the pattern of Spurs' frustration seemed set.

Then, with eight minutes left, Naz found her composure when it mattered. She latched onto a ball over the top and broke past the centre-halves, taking one touch with her left to bring the ball to the edge of the box, and a second with her right to calmly slot home an equaliser.

Kop denied substitute Thomas in stoppage time as Spurs piled on the pressure, making a wonderful save which saw the ball trickle millimetres beyond the far post. That sent the game into extra time.

Rantala had the best effort of the first period, with her brilliant left foot striking a free-kick against the crossbar, via the fingertips of Spencer, from a similar area to her earlier goal.

With the semi-final petering out and towards a penalty shoot-out, Spurs went ahead through Thomas with just three minutes remaining. The striker netted her 10th goal in 20 games across all competitions this season, rising highest to meet a flick on in a congested penalty area, looping over Kop.

Thomas told the BBC: "I'm over the moon for the team, I'm just so chuffed we got over the line. I didn't want penalties. I'm just so happy we came from behind and won. It's huge. We're such a tight-knit group that work hard together."

While Spurs were wrapping up their celebrations, United were going 1-0 up. Within 42 seconds, a mishap at the back for Chelsea saw a fluffed backpass latched onto by the hardworking Leah Galton.

Her pinpoint cross reached Garcia at the back post, who headed back across goal to beat Hannah Hampton. Chelsea gained a foothold after, but United were defensively sound.

The Red Devils didn't have many chances, but when they did, made them count. Twenty minutes after the first, Williams doubled the lead. Ella Toone shrugged her marker onto the floor and cut inside from the left, with another cross converted.

United were in the mood, with Williams soon presented with another opportunity as she found herself in the area with time on her left foot. Chelsea's possession and position on the field was futile.

James hit the side netting as she began to trouble her former club, before eventually making it count just before half-time. Niamh Charles broke down the left and pulled back for James, who made no mistake first time to beat England teammate Mary Earps with aplomb.

It would be the last time she did. In the second half, amid disciplined defending from a United side not known for it, the powerful forward rose to head what she thought was an equaliser - only for Earps to produce a phenomenal outstretched save on the line, worthy of the occasion.

The closest the visitors came in the closing moments was through Catarina Macario, whose corner hit the top of the crossbar. As Chelsea sent the cavalry forward in eight minutes of stoppage time, the best chances fell to United on the break, as the Blues couldn't get the ball to settle in a congested penalty area.

United held on in front of a raucous crowd at Leigh Sports Village, securing a first ever club victory over their esteemed opponents.

Star of the show Earps told the BBC: "It's been mentally brutal, but I'm so glad. We've been lacking aggression in our games this season, and the girls knew to really give this a go.

"It's heavy when things don't go your way in the league all year. It's been really difficult. Today, the girls were unbelievable. It was ugly, it was horrible, but I don't care because we won."

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