Perfect 10 for Chapman as women’s game hits new heights

Only five years ago, the Women’s FA Cup final was played out in front of fewer than 5,000 fans at Doncaster. And Chelsea’s triumphant captain, Katie Chapman, can still remember lifting the trophy at Selhurst Park aged 14. So, it is no surprise that the now 35-year-old was taken aback by the competition-record attendance at Wembley as her side beat Arsenal. Chapman lifted a landmark 10th FA Cup in front of a 45,423 crowd and believes that attendance demonstrates the staggering growth of the women’s game in this country. Recalling her win with Millwall as a teenager in 1997, she said: ‘That was a long, long time ago, my first year in the senior team. It was a magical moment at Selhurst Park, which was a big stage then. There were only 3,000 people. To see this crowd of 45,000 is unbelievable. I’ve been playing so long — in 10 different FA Cups. I’ve seen the women’s game progress. This was a great game, whether you’re a Chelsea fan, an Arsenal fan or a neutral. ‘And it’s boys in the crowd, it’s men, it’s women, it’s everybody. The atmosphere is great for families. Hopefully this Cup final will raise it more.’ It was a game dripping with quality, not least Ramona Bachmann’s double and Fran Kirby’s left-footed wonder goal. The two Chelsea players scored either side of a Vivianne Miedema strike for Arsenal. Kirby, 24, who has picked up the PFA and FWA player-of-the-year awards in a trophyladen few weeks, was full of praise for her captain. ‘She’s just showing off now,’ she joked. ‘She’s a great leader and everyone respects her for what she’s done in her career. She’s got pretty much every medal. ‘Katie’s been absolutely quality for us and in this team she just keeps on going. When she puts in her challenges, it really sets the tone for our team.’