Reiten stars as Chelsea reach FA Cup last four

Winger Guro Reiten played a starring role as Chelsea cruised past Reading to book their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s FA Cup.

Reiten added a third soon after half-time to extend the visitors’ lead.

Sanne Troelsgaard pulled one back for Reading but the Blues reached the last four for the third consecutive season.

Chelsea started brightly with Reiten, Niamh Charles and Mjelde all testing Reading goalkeeper Grace Moloney.

And Carter broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when she bundled home Reiten’s pinpoint cross at the back post.

Minutes later, the Norwegian was brought down by Reading’s Brooke Hendrix inside the box and Mjelde coolly converted from the spot to double dominant Chelsea’s advantage.

The hosts thought they had pulled a goal back when Troelgaard intercepted a loose Chelsea pass before rifling past Zecira Musovic, but goal was ruled out for offside.

Chelsea continued to control the game after the break and Reiten finally got her just rewards for an impressive attacking display as she slotted an Alsu Abdullina pass into an open goal.

Troelsgaard got her revenge for the earlier disallowed goal when she fired in a 70th-minute strike to try to ignite a Reading fightback.

But the Dane’s goal proved nothing more than a consolation and Chelsea, who beat Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final, held on to seal a third successive win in all competitions.

More to follow.

BBC Sports

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