Sam Kerr has scored in six consecutive cup finals for ChelseaSam Kerr was Chelsea's matchwinner yet again as they wrapped up a third successive Women's FA Cup title with victory over Manchester United in front of a world-record crowd at Wembley Stadium.
Kerr, who has netted six goals in the competition this season, fired in a cross from Pernille Harder and celebrated in front of Chelsea supporters with her trademark backflip.
The game had been finely poised until Kerr broke the deadlock despite Manchester United, competing in their first major cup final, being on top for most of the first half.
Marc Skinner's side, who have never defeated Chelsea, imposed themselves early on when Leah Galton had a goal ruled out within 23 seconds of kick-off for offside.
United had an edge after the chaotic start and came close again when Millie Turner almost stabbed in a loose ball on a free-kick, before Galton sliced Alessia Russo's low cross wide at the near post.
But Chelsea always carried a threat through Lauren James, who looped a header which was expertly tipped on to the post by goalkeeper Mary Earps.
With 77,390 watching on at Wembley - a world record for a women's domestic match - Chelsea began to impose their quality after the break.
Substitute Harder eventually provided the extra quality they needed when she teed up Kerr, ensuring Chelsea became the first side since Arsenal in 2008 to win three Women's FA Cups in a row.
It is their fifth FA Cup crown overall and the latest in a growing list of phenomenal achievements by Emma Hayes' side - and she will hope to add more in a few weeks' time as Chelsea remain locked in a fierce Women's Super League title race with United.
More to follow.
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Chelsea Women
Squad number30Player nameBerger
Squad number15Player namePérisset
Squad number18Player nameMjelde
Squad number16Player nameEriksson
Squad number21Player nameCharles
Squad number8Player nameLeupolz
Squad number22Player nameCuthbert
Squad number10Player nameJames
Squad number17Player nameFleming
Squad number11Player nameReiten
Squad number20Player nameKerr
Squad number5Player nameIngle
Squad number7Player nameCarter
Squad number23Player nameHarder
Squad number26Player nameBuchanan
Manchester United Women
Squad number27Player nameEarps
Squad number2Player nameBatlle
Squad number15Player nameLe Tissier
Squad number21Player nameTurner
Squad number6Player nameBlundell
Squad number10Player nameZelem
Squad number12Player nameLadd
Squad number22Player nameParris
Squad number7Player nameToone
Squad number11Player nameGalton
Squad number23Player nameRusso
Squad number5Player nameMannion
Squad number9Player nameThomas
Squad number17Player nameGarcía
Squad number28Player nameWilliams
Line-ups
Chelsea Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
30Berger
15Périsset18Mjelde16Eriksson21Charles
8Leupolz22Cuthbert
10James17Fleming11Reiten
20Kerr
30Berger15Périsset18Mjelde16Eriksson21CharlesBooked at 56minsSubstituted forCarterat 72'minutes8LeupolzSubstituted forIngleat 57'minutesBooked at 87mins22Cuthbert10JamesBooked at 80minsSubstituted forBuchananat 88'minutes17FlemingSubstituted forHarderat 57'minutes11ReitenBooked at 53mins20KerrSubstitutes
1Musovic5Ingle7Carter13Svitková19Rytting Kaneryd23Harder26Buchanan27Abdullina28CankovicMan Utd Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
27Earps
2Batlle15Le Tissier21Turner6Blundell
10Zelem12Ladd
22Parris7Toone11Galton
23Russo
27Earps2Batlle15Le Tissier21Turner6BlundellSubstituted forGarcíaat 79'minutes10Zelem12LaddSubstituted forThomasat 90+1'minutes22ParrisSubstituted forWilliamsat 61'minutes7TooneSubstituted forMannionat 79'minutes11Galton23RussoSubstitutes
5Mannion8Bøe Risa9Thomas14Riviere16Naalsund17García28Williams29Cascarino32BaggaleyReferee:Emily HeaslipAttendance:77,390Live Text
Match ends, Chelsea Women 1, Manchester United Women 0.
Second Half ends, Chelsea Women 1, Manchester United Women 0.
Foul by Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women).
Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Leah Galton (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Attempt blocked. Aoife Mannion (Manchester United Women) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Katie Zelem with a cross.
Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Kadeisha Buchanan.
Offside, Chelsea Women. Sophie Ingle tries a through ball, but Sam Kerr is caught offside.
Offside, Manchester United Women. Leah Galton tries a through ball, but Lucía García is caught offside.
Substitution, Manchester United Women. Martha Thomas replaces Hayley Ladd.
Attempt missed. Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Alessia Russo with a headed pass.
Foul by Leah Galton (Manchester United Women).
Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Kadeisha Buchanan replaces Lauren James.
Sophie Ingle (Chelsea Women) is shown the yellow card.
Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Guro Reiten (Chelsea Women).
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Ève Périsset (Chelsea Women).
Attempt blocked. Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Alessia Russo.
