Chelsea booked their place in the FA Cup final four with a late victory over Tottenham. Veerle Buurman’s stunning goal settled a tight quarter-final.
Buurman’s Brilliance Sinks Spurs
Tottenham pushed Chelsea hard for the third time this season. But Chelsea showed their quality to get the job done. Spurs worked so hard and it’s a real shame they were undone by a moment of quality. They can be really proud of their match today and their season overall.
The young Chelsea centre-half drove to the edge of the Tottenham box before unleashing a fierce strike that wizzed across Lize Kop and into the top right corner. Veerle Buurman has been one of Chelsea’s standout players this term, filling in the gaps across an injury-hit back line and putting in plenty of standout performances. A deserved headline moment for the 19 year old.
Nia Jones, a former Wales international, said on Channel 4 that Spurs just couldn’t clear it and Buurman thought ‘why not?’. She also noted what a goal it was.
Buurman deserves her place in the team on a weekly basis, she has been excellent in the last month and is a real goal threat. Veerle Buurman’s winning goal was her first in Chelsea colours. She’ll struggle to score many better, or many more important, in her blues career.
Late Tottenham Push Falls Short
Tottenham fought valiantly across the 90 minutes but were ultimately undone by a moment of top quality. Bethany England knocked down a long throw in the box for Olivia Holdt, who took a shot first time, but she’s always slipping and can’t get a clean connection on the effort. One last roll of the dice for Tottenham as Signe Gaupset is replaced by Olga Ahtinen.
Cathinka Tandberg did everything right as she dribbled into the Chelsea box before going for goal, but she dragged her shot a few yards wide of the bottom corner. Ahh so close to a late leveller.
We’re well into three minutes of injury time. Can Tottenham find a way to force an extra 30 minutes?
Chelsea’s Double Dream Remains Alive
Keira Walsh told Channel 4 she was really, really happy. She added that Chelsea have had a tough period and after the game the other day they set out to win this game and bring the FA Cup back to Chelsea. Walsh said she thought they just really stuck together and focused on trying to defend well and defend together, and that anyone of their forwards can produce those moments, and it came from a left back.
For Bompastor and Chelsea, it’s crazy to think that going out of this FA Cup would have seen them as having a disappointing season. Chelsea’s domestic double charge remains on as Veerle Buurman’s stunning late strike sends them into the final four. There’s still hopes for them of lifting two.
All things come to an end and this Chelsea squad is certainly proving that.
In another FA Cup quarter-final, Man City Women scored early against Birmingham.