Manchester United knocked West Ham out of the Conti Cup, while Arsenal grabbed a late winner against Birmingham City in a dramatic fightback and Chelsea put four past Reading.
FA Women’s Continental League Cup Quarter-Finals
Manchester United 2-0 West Ham United (Att: 1,029)
Chelsea 4-0 Reading (Att: 973)
Arsenal 2-1 Birmingham City
Sigsworth sends Man United into semis
Jess Sigsworth scored twice as Championship leaders Manchester United eliminated West Ham.
The hosts went ahead via a Lauren James cross which Sigsworth met under pressure from Kate Longhurst.
Jane Ross would have levelled before the break but for a point-blank save from Siobhan Chamberlain.
In the second half, Longhurst hit the bar from 25 yards and Alisha Lehmann hit the rebound over the top, before Sigsworth won possession and fired into the bottom corner.
Ria Percival also hit the woodwork for the Hammers late on, as they tried to get back into the tie.
Gunners battle back to break Blues’ hearts
Arsenal had to come from behind to beat Birmingham City, as Vivianne Miedema won it in stoppage-time.
Lucy Quinn won the Blues a penalty after a foul by Danielle van de Donk but Aoife Mannion’s spot kick was turned round the post by Sari van Veenendaal.
Quinn did score herself after the break with a finish past the out-rushing keeper, Lucy Staniforth’s long ball not having been dealt with by the Gunners defence,
It as down to the last 7 minutes when Katie McCabe set up van de Donk to head the equaliser past beyond Hannah Hampton.
McCabe was also involved in the decider, her cross saw Miedema take the ball beyond the keeper and net from a tight angle.
Kirby brace helps Chelsea through
Fran Kirby scored after just 3 minutes to set Chelsea on the way to a 4-0 victory over Reading.
Beth England was denied by Grace Moloney but Anita Asante hit her first goal for Emma Hayes’ side to double the lead.
Brooke Chaplen should have pulled a goal back from Maz Pacheco’s cross, after which Chelsea struck two late goals through Kirby and an Ali Riley strike from the edge of the box.
Thursday 10th January
Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion (Academy Stadium, 7pm)
The Semi-Final draw will take place on Saturday 12 January during half time of the Sheffield United v QPR EFL fixture at Bramall Lane, the venue for the final of the competition on 23 February.
