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Kirby was outstanding, scoring the opener after just three minutes as she capitalised on defensive confusion to shoot past Arsenal's Manuela Zinsberger. Since then we've seen the likes of established internationals Kerr and goalkeeper Melanie Leupolz added, alongside the batch of talent nurtured and brought through by Hayes.Д«ut in both the constants from the last FA Cup triumph to Sunday's were integral to this impressive victory. To assess the work Hayes has done in evolving this team, just three players started both the 2018 final and the 2021 edition: Eriksson, Millie Bright and Fran Kirby.

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'Accumulating winning, and the odd setback, that experience counts for something - you can't take that lightly and we used that to full effect today.'Д¬helsea's win comes three seasons after their last FA Cup triumph. 'I think we're getting better, I really do,' Hayes said. This was actually last season's FA Cup final - rescheduled due to COVID-19 - and Chelsea's superb victory added the final piece to a remarkable domestic Treble. Credit also the match we had in front of us, which included Chelsea's Sam Kerr and Arsenal's Vivianne Miedema, who finished third and fourth in the Ballon d'Or voting last week.Д«ut this match ended up being further affirmation of the incredible work Hayes has done at Chelsea, and the superb squad assembled there. While the 1920 attendance still stands as the record for a women's club match in the UK, having so many fans at Wembley at a time when the country braces itself for increasingly stern COVID-19 protocols was testament to the work done to grow and market the women's game. Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images Sacrifices have been made and we must acknowledge them.' Chelsea lift the FA Cup at Wembley. Somebody's trodden the path before to make this available for us.

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'They didn't get the privilege of playing in front of 40,000 fans on live TV - today is for them. 'This was for them, as they may not have got those opportunities,' Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said. The ban was eventually lifted in 1971 and here, 50 years on, Chelsea put in a performance to remember against Arsenal. They played a role in this when they took to the field in front of a rickety wooden stand and started the ball rolling on a 50-year history leading to today.Д«ut there was the other anniversary to mark - how back in 1921 women were banned from playing football with the FA's council saying in the minutes of that meeting that the sport was 'unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged.' There was also the fear the women's game was rivalling the men's for popularity, given just a year previous on Boxing Day, 1920, 53,000 paying supporters attended the Dick, Kerr's Ladies' match against St Helen's Ladies at Goodison Park.

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As they took in the impressive Wembley surroundings, the pyrotechnics being primed, the players all going through their pre-match routines as the stands filled up with eager-eyed young fans, and those with memories of the near pre-professionalism past (the top flight Women's Super League only went pro in 2016), the two 1971 captains took a moment to soak it all in. There was no official attendance for that first final, the players drove themselves to and from the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, they sat and ate cheese and pickle sandwiches on the banks of the ground before kickoff and, despite Lloyd lifting the trophy after her Southampton side won 4-1 against Stewarton Thistle, the Cup itself has since disappeared.ДЄfter placing this year's trophy on the stand, Cook and Lloyd hugged.

They were the captains for the inaugural women's FA Cup back in 1971 - then called the Mitre Challenge Trophy.

With Wembley already packed, Lesley Lloyd and Elsie Cook walked out with the FA Cup before the teams took to the pitch. So as this was a celebration of the now, the current generation and FA Cup holders are equally aware of the importance of the past. And as Magda Eriksson held aloft the trophy in front of a crowd of 40,942 at Wembley, it was a reminder of how far the game has come, a full century after women were banned by the FA from playing football. LONDON - On a day where pioneers were remembered and celebrated in the 50th Women's FA Cup final, Chelsea added a further chapter to their remarkable dynasty of success with a comfortable victory over Arsenal.Д¬helsea won 3-0 ( stream a replay on ESPN+, US only), it could have been seven.

Rickety cricket