MARY FEELS SO CUPBEAT
Earps joy after ’brutal’ season for the Reds
LIFTING the FA Cup trophy would be “everything” to England No.1 Mary Earps after a “mentally brutal” season.
Manchester United made history as they defeated reigning champions Chelsea in the semi-final to avenge their FA Cup final defeat last season.
The triumph marked the first time in United’s history they have got the better of the Blues and also secured a place at Wembley against fellow semi-final winners Tottenham Hotspur in the competition’s finale next month.
“This season has been so hard, mentally brutal but I’m so glad with the win,” said United and England keeper Earps.
“To win a trophy with this club I’ve been at for five seasons, after a pretty not great season, it’d be everything. But we’ve got to stay focussed. Tottenham won’t make it easy.”
She added: “I feel we have been lacking aggression in our games this season. The girls knew we had to give this a good go, it is heavy when things don’t go your way in the league. It was ugly and it was horrible but I don’t care because we won.”
Early goals from Lucia Garcia and Rachel Williams fired United to a dream start against Emma Hayes’ side.
And despite Lauren James clawing a goal back shortly before half-time, United’s early lead, buttressed by a convincing defensive performance from the hosts, proved insurmountable despite unrelenting pressure from Chelsea.
United could feel indebted to Earps who produced an outstanding display between the sticks to put the club within one match of a first-ever piece of silverware.
Chelsea’s defeat leaves their treble hopes in tatters just two weeks after losing to Arsenal in the League Cup final.
The Blues remain in the hunt for a fifth successive league title and a firstever Champions League title.