United had an uphill challenge before they had even kicked off, knowing Chelsea had beaten them in two previous FA Cup finals and had won 10 of their 12 WSL meetings.
And it was immediately clear that Chelsea wanted to gain control of proceedings and United struggled to settle, despite Terland getting into good positions and testing goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
But as the game wore on, and Chelsea took their foot off the gas slightly having taken the lead, United started to trouble them.
Terland rattled the crossbar, Wangerheim missed a golden opportunity at the near post and Hampton pushed behind an effort from Lisa Naalsund.
Captain Maya Le Tissier made a crucial block to stop Alyssa Thompson making it 2-0 to Chelsea in the first half and, having restricted their opponents, United will have been frustrated they could not make the most of their own chances.
They have shown in recent months that they are capable of competing with the WSL’s best but they still have yet to work out how to overcome their nemesis Chelsea in cup finals.
“It’s frustrating that against Chelsea, we don’t produce the clarity that we need to score goals. My players rush more than they need to,” said Skinner afterwards.
“That’s the difference in these games. It’s those moments in the two boxes. Their record is incredible in this competition but I don’t think they outplayed us.
“I want to stop having that conversation [of getting closer to them]. We need to stop being closer, and just be there. That’s the challenge to my players, to not feel like this anymore.
“Chelsea’s goals were rubbish, from our perspective it won them the game, we have to challenge ourselves.”
James was gifted an opportunity to put Chelsea ahead and Beever-Jones reacted quickest at the back post when the ball came in from the right – two moments which took the game away from United.
United’s only major trophy was from their FA Cup win over Tottenham in 2024, having lost to Chelsea in 2023 and 2025, as well as this year’s Women’s league Cup. That will be painful for them.
