2017: Manchester City v Birmingham City Women's FA Cup Final


2017: Manchester City v Birmingham City

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Welcome to Wembley. It's the third time the Women's FA Cup Final has

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been played at the National Stadium. On this occasion, it's a tale of two

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blue cities. Manchester City Women are the dominant force in the

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domestic game. WSL title winners 2016 and Champions League

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semifinalists this year. They are packed with international stars.

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Eight of them in the England squad, plus the World Player of the Year,

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Carli Lloyd, of the USA. But they've never been to the FA Cup final

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before. Birmingham City Ladies lifted this trophy in 2012 and beat

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the last two Wembley winners to get here. They drew at Man City in the

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lead ten days ago, and in Ellen White they have a striker playing in

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her fourth FA Cup final with a third different club. It's a new

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experience for the fans of both clubs, strolling up Wembley Way on

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Women's FA Cup Final day. The FA are expecting a record crowd, surpassing

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the 32,000 here last year. It promises to be quite the occasion

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and with me here at Wembley to enjoy it, two players who have lifted the

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FA Cup, Rachel as Everton goalkeeper in 2010, and Rachel Scott. Mark

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Sampson reached the FA Cup final twice, I'll give you credit, as the

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boss of Bristol Academy. Alex, you captained Arsenal to success here 12

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months ago. Why is it different playing here at Wembley, compared to

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other FA Cup finals? I suppose because when you start out as a kid,

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the dream is you want to play at Wembley, so to be able to go on and

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walk up those Wembley stares and lift the trophy is a dream come

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true. You've been in that many finals, we were trying to work out,

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what have we decided on? It's between ten and 11. You are showing

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off! Mark, seven of your players in the England squad are starting the

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Manchester City today, let's mention Ellen White playing for Birmingham.

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How important is it for your players to have experience of playing in

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these big occasions? It is important. Alex has plenty of

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experience by the sounds of it, but it's a big difference in as much as

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the goal is the same size and the pitches the same size, it's

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different with the crowd and the occasion. It will be interesting to

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see how Manchester City handle it, but in particular Birmingham. Ellen

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is the only experienced player on the bench. She will rise to the

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occasion. Are we underestimating Birmingham? We know Manchester City

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are the favourites, no one is disagreeing with that. There was a

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dress rehearsal ten days ago in the WSL Spring series and it finished in

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a draw. It's dangerous to underestimate Birmingham.

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Absolutely. I think Manchester City will have learned their lesson from

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last week, when they drew 1-1. Manchester City were breached, and

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they found it very difficult to penetrate Birmingham. Today will be

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a really tight affair. We will be watching the best female football in

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the world today, that's official. American Carli Lloyd is the current

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fever Player of the Year. Manchester City's Olympic and World Cup winner

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told Sue Smith it all started with hours of practice on a new Jersey

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field. For me, the foundation that was laid there was just playing with

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freedom, going to the park, playing with my friends, playing with boys,

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just living and breathing the game. That's ultimately what set me up to

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become the level that I am now. We've had stars before it being this

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game of course, but no one quite like Carli Lloyd. -- in the English

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game. For club and country, she made a sensational impact whenever she's

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called on, in New Jersey. In 2012, this was the start of belief. My

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story at that Olympics was very unknown before I left to come over

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to England, and the injury happened in the first game. I slid over, 16

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minutes in. After scoring two goals in that final, I have more belief in

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myself that I could get to become one of the best players in the

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world. The World Cup final, does it bring back any emotions, overriding

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emotions? Yes, it brings chills to my arm, still thinking about it. We

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did it on one of the biggest dangers. Everybody was watching. I

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remember after I hit the third goal, I just was standing there and I was

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waiting and waiting and waiting and when it went in, I was like, oh my

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god. COMMENTATOR:

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The long-range effort from Lloyd. Oh my goodness! I ran up to Hope and

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she had her arms around me, she was like, are you even human? We just

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started laughing. I am human but hard work pays off, for sure. There

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are some amazing, amazing players out there and I think that what I've

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tried to do as a player is become the most complete player. It's

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funny, because as I'm standing here in Manchester and part of this, you

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would never would have thought I'd have the opportunity to do this in

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women's football. Wembley is a special stadium for me. Now to be

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headed back there for the FA Cup final is truly an unbelievable

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moment. Hopefully after I leave there, we will be on the pitch.

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She's so impressive and a lot of the fans will be looking forward to

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seeing her. What will she bring to Manchester City today? Gosh, when

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she describes herself as the complete player, I'd agree with her.

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She can finish from distance, she is so strong on the ball, she can

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tackle, she is fantastic in the air. She really is phenomenal. Also

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bringing experience that Manchester City, I wouldn't say they are

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lacking, but that world-class experience and winning and winning

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Olympics, winning World Cups, that is something that is very hard to

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find, so to have her at Man City will be a huge plus to those goals

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in the dressing room. Alex, your ex-Arsenal team-mate, Ellen White,

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is starting today. How much of a difference will her firepower bring?

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A huge difference. She is a defender's worst nightmare, she

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never gives up no matter what. They will be looking for her today,

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Birmingham. I'm sure you remember her scoring at the 90th minute.

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Looking back at that, it was game over as Alex will remember. Ellen is

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an excellent player, one who always delivers. She will always bring that

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energy and intensity. I'm sure she'll bring that today, whatever

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position she ends up playing. The teams are in the tunnel. We are

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ready for the two Blues to go head-to-head. Birmingham Blues.

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Manchester Blues. Giant killers. Champions. Our first Wembley final.

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Let's talk about Meaghan Campbell next and those incredible long

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throws, very difficult to defend against. Yes, they are no longer a

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secret weapon. They used to be. You see the havoc they cause. Pretty

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much level with the penalty spot, it ends up almost, teams have to almost

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defend like a white free kick or even like a corner maybe, but they

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will know what to expect and expect they are solid defensive outfit that

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they will defend better than Reading did last week. Key players that you

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are looking up for today? I think on that note the Birmingham goalkeeper,

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she is excellent dealing with crosses and she has a big game

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today. Meaghan is clearly going to chuck the ball in the box and you

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can't look beyond Karli, playing off the front today will have a big

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impact today. Here we go, the 2017 FSC Women's FA Cup Final. To talk

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this through it, Sue Smith, twice a cup finalist with Leeds, and

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Jonathan Pearce. COMMENTATOR:

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Good afternoon, always a pleasure under privileged to be at Wembley,

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but any showpiece occasion and ASBOs players awaiting the tunnel I can

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tell you this is the biggest FA women's Cup Final of them all so

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far, and a lovely sunny day. Breezy, a sprinkling of rain earlier.

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Manchester City looking to complete that clean sweep of domestic

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trophies inside a calendar year, they've targeted at first FA Cup tie

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for the last six months. Star names down there, star billing, against

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Birmingham City, as you've heard, in their second final, having beaten

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Chelsea on penalties at Ashton Gate in 2012. They've lost just three of

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their last 24 matches in all. This is a rapidly developing Cup, so

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ignore them at your peril. As they walk out here to what is hoped to be

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a 40,000 crowd, the Dean is absolutely deafening, I can tell

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you, as we have the pyrotechnics, healthy support for Manchester City,

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of course Champions League semifinalists very much the top team

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in England right now. They really are and I think looking at this

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game, you think Birmingham are going in as underdogs, but I think their

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route to the final has been really difficult for them. Obviously

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beating Chelsea and Arsenal on the way. I think they'll be confident

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going into this game and I expect a really tight final. Well, they've

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got so many of the England internationals there, Mark Sampson

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as you heard is in the studio. He will be casting an eye over his Euro

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squad members for you, as the presentation party come out from the

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FA, Greg Clark and Sue Hough, Elaine are missed down there aren't the

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director from the sponsors, SSE, is down there as well. Steph Houghton

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is along the line of players. Her fourth final in the FA Cup. Won a

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couple with Arsenal. But actually another final, Leeds and Arsenal,

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you were there. Yes, we got beaten in that game and I think sometimes

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you do learn from those experiences. I spoke to Steph about that, she

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said she learned from losing more than winning. What's it like to be

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on the winning FA Cup final side, Sue? How many did you playing? I

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played a few cup finals and lost the ball, so thank you for bringing that

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up. More than I played but! We mustn't surrender mistake -- we

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mustn't underestimate Birmingham City, that's for sure. You think

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they are tough and durable, can they spring a surprise today? I don't see

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why not. Like you said, they are very strong, very resilient,

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difficult to break down at the back. I look at the Manchester City team

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and they are full of world-class players that can play in the bigger

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games and make something happen from defence to attack, so if they are on

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their game it's very difficult for Birmingham. They've got the quality,

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they signed good players, Ellen White, who can be key for them going

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forward. Great for the supporters to come down here and see their team in

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an FA Cup final. A record crowd, we believe. Manchester City, unbeaten

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in the last seven meetings between the two sides, in the competition

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that's been dominated by Arsenal over the years. They've been here 14

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times, in the last 13 finals. The Scottish side, Stuart and Thistle,

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in the first final, in 1971. The days have changed. # God save save

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our gracious Queen Tonge Long live our noble Queen

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# God save our Queen # Send her victorious

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# Happy and glorious # Long to reign over us

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# God Save The Queen #. CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

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What a moment for Marc Skinner down there, for the Spring series the

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Birmingham coach, a licence holder. It's a reminder of the teams for

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you, Birmingham City have one change to the side that beat Chelsea.

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I think she will play just behind that front two. Rebecca Welch took

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the 2016 Continental Cup final between the two, she's the referee.

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Manchester City, that side contains the double world Footballer of the

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Year, Carli Lloyd, we've been talking about her, scored twice for

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the USA in the Olympic final. She went for a jog around the stadium

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this morning. Seven members of the European Championship squad, two

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surprises, Meaghan Campbell, the long throw expert is third --

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preferred at the back to Abbie McManus, who hasn't missed a minute

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so far. Toni Duggan will be heartbroken Lloyd will play higher

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up than she has been playing. Lawley signed from Birmingham in December.

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A big day for her, against her former side, so... It's always a big

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day, playing an FA Cup final live on TV at Wembley, but when you are

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playing against your old club it makes it that bit more special. She

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will be really up for this game and wanting to show just how much she's

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maybe improved, going on to Manchester City.

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Manchester City, their route to the final Reading at home. Bristol City

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away. And Liverpool at home in the semifinal.

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With a goal by Lawley. Here is Steph Houghton, chosen by

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the national coach to be manager because of her ambition, because of

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her drive, because of her sheer determination to lead players

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through difficult tasks. She leads by example. She's developed in that

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role so much and she's been a really good captain for both club and

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country and all the players that play alongside her speak highly of

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her. A quick word for Kerys Harrop. Another leader, probably doesn't get

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as much credit as she deserves. We will see what a good defender she is

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today. We did the World Cup final in Vancouver. To be honest, I think

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they would have put up a better showing of Japan. In the first 16

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minutes they were blown away. That was the player out there who did the

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damage. She really did, Carli Lloyd was outstanding that day. It's a

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game for her, a big player, and that's exactly what she can do. We

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have seen how good she was in that final. Here we go, the SSE Women's

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FA Cup final. Manchester City against Birmingham City in the dark

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blue. Manchester City kicking from right-to-left frshgs the East End of

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the stadium, to the west. The Birmingham City fans behind the goal

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away to the left-hand side of your screen.

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Safely back to the goalkeeper. One of the many reasons why we can point

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to the fact that Birmingham City are very much an up Wardley mobile side,

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because of the quality of the players they're bringing in. You can

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see it's a little deeper there. Mayling loses possession.

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A slight change to that back three in the way we thought they might run

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it. Sargeant is further to the right. Mannion is in the middle and

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Harrop is to the left of the three. No quality on the final ball. That's

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exactly what Manchester City are going to try to do. With Birmingham

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playing three at the back they're going to look to get out wide in

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those spaces. Lucy Bronze loves to get forward. Sometimes she's the

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best attacking player. Didn't really have the quality there on the final

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ball in. Lucy Bronze PFA Player of the Year

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Father a second time. You spoke to her recently about that award. I

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did. Really well deserved. What's so good about Lucy Bronze, I don't

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think she realises how good she is. Carli Lloyd. Surrounded by forward

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blue shirts. Back towards Demi Stokes.

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Mannion. Local girl to Birmingham City, playing in Solihull.

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Very familiar looking Manchester City defence, if you are an England

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follower. Bardsley in goal. Bronze and Stokes in there. Bronze,

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Houghton and Stokes all from the north-east.

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Mannion scored against Manchester City back in October in a league

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game. May well have come off Lucy Bronze.

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Indeed it did. Good pressure on Bronze there. Very quick Ayisi for

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Birmingham City. They look to run the channels. He willine White will

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obviously be the deeper player and will want to get on the ball but

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they'll use the pace of both Brazil. Good defending by Lucy Bronze who

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does a good job in the air in both penalty areas.

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She was fouled anyway. The referee has officiated here

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before, but not actually out in the middle.

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Here is Harrop. Looking for White. That's punched

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away. That's not a bad ball into the box. From a deep position it was a

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good run forward. From a decent player.

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Decent start to the game. Here is Sargeant. Mannion seeing a

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lot of the ball. Cut out there by Keira Walsh. She

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protects the back four, breaks up play very well. An important role in

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the run to the Champions League semifinals.

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That's a decent ball. Blocked by... Wonder if they choose the wrong

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option. Should have come to the left side. You are right, that's where

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the option was. Christiansen wanted to play it down to the right to

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Parris but the option was better down this left side. Manchester City

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beaten by Lyon in the Champions League semifinals. Despite Lloyd's

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goal in the return leg when they won 1-0, that first leg deficit of 3-1

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was too much. White couldn't keep that in. The

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family here watching today. We have had a chat with them. Bumped into

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them around the world watching England, they're great travellers.

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They go to every game of Ellen White's. They're probably more

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nervous than Ellen. Her mum was saying how scared she was and how

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she had a nervous stomach and Ellen takes everything in her stride. Here

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is Ayisi. An error. She got the shot away. It's a little bit of a nervy

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error at the back there for Manchester City. By Campbell.

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Straightaway you could see Ayisi is on to that and wants to take a shot

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and test Karen Bardsley. I am sure that's what Marc Skinner will have

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said. They have a bit of a history, they were sent off after a nasty

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tussle back in the early months of 2015.

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A few fists thrown. Both of them banned.

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Tucked away for Manchester City throw.

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Stokes, good run from her. Progressive ball back. Loves to get

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forward on the run. Here is Lucy Bronze.

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Back into the middle. Lloyd is at the far post. Headed back across

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goal. Claimed by Berger. Interested her thoughts on joining

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Birmingham City, the experienced goalkeeper. Their vision convinced

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me she says, it's very much a club building progressively, Birmingham

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City. They are. You can see that by the players they've brought in and

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how they're improving every game, every game I see they seem to be

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improving and she's a massive part of that. She's been outstanding in a

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games I have watched, without a doubt one of the best goalkeepers in

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the WSL. It builds confidence when you have a good keeper behind you.

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Notts County went out of business before the series. England keeper

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born in Santa Monica, California. I believe her family are from the

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Manchester area, Stockport I think. You are right, they are. It was an

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easy decision when she came to Manchester.

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Christiansen is like a mini Steph Houghton out there I think,

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lookalikes. Done well. That's a dangerous cross in. Looking for one

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of the most popular players in the game, Jill Scott. It was a good ball

:26:59.:27:05.

in. Fantastic defending from Harrop. When you know you have players like

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Jill Scott and Carli Lloyd who are good in the air you have to get the

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ball in the box. Good delivery, they'll get on the end of it. A

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winner in 2010, Everton against Arsenal, Jill Scott. That was played

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at the Nottingham Forest ground. Having the final at Wembley really

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has made a difference for the Cup final. Christiansen will take the

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corner kick. That's a good claim by Berger. Came

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a long way and got there. Very convincing.

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Quick release, as well. Back towards Sarah Mayling.

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The pain of losing a final, she was in the continental Cup when the

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Lincoln Notts team were beaten by Arsenal back in 2013.

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Two coaches today watching on. Nick Cushing.

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Appointed in... Another A licence holder. Level-headed.

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Campbell's throws are a serious weapon. First appearance in the Cup

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run this season, Meaghan Campbell. Towards Parris.

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Kept her eye on the ball. Got her body shape right. A good tackle.

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In the European squad for 2017, Stokes. Suffered the heartache of

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missing out on Canada and the World Cup finals.

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Good pressure. A World Cup winner and double

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Olympic champion. She knows how to work, Carli Lloyd. What was she like

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when you met her? Nice, professional, typical American,

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driven, works hard on and off the field. Wants to get better, despite

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winning all these trophies and individual awards, she still wants

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more. She wants that drive. That's really going to help Manchester City

:30:28.:30:30.

to have a player like that on their team. She spoke highly of you as

:30:31.:30:33.

well. She paid me for that! Ellen White, a deserving player,

:30:34.:30:46.

isn't she? She's had two or three bad knee injuries, certainly a

:30:47.:30:49.

couple in the last two or three years. She missed the whole of 2014.

:30:50.:30:56.

She has struggled with injuries, unfortunately. She's a top, top

:30:57.:31:01.

player, a true professional. She works so hard, somebody you want in

:31:02.:31:04.

your team, because you know she will make defenders' life a misery.

:31:05.:31:14.

Brazil has got the pace. To trouble Manchester City defence. Haven't won

:31:15.:31:24.

any of the last four games, unless you include a penalty shoot-out

:31:25.:31:30.

against Chelsea, as a victory. They won their opening three games of the

:31:31.:31:37.

Spring Series, Birmingham, this team are by far the more fluent

:31:38.:31:44.

goal-scorers. 15 goals this season, six in the last two. This is Parris.

:31:45.:31:56.

What a bubbly character she can be. Every time she gets the ball, her

:31:57.:32:02.

first touches forward. She wants to drive at defenders and their life a

:32:03.:32:11.

misery. In the sixth round away up distal city, future European

:32:12.:32:16.

champions, Bristol City. One can dream. The trouble is the dream has

:32:17.:32:18.

gone on too long without realisation. Maybe one day. I bob in

:32:19.:32:28.

one day. Goodness me, that hit the side netting and Megan Campbell got

:32:29.:32:35.

in there. Looks like a corner, something they'd worked on in

:32:36.:32:38.

training. Just a little flick round the corner, it was actually unlucky,

:32:39.:32:43.

to hit the side netting there. Known for her long throws, but she could

:32:44.:32:47.

score the opener at Wembley. I think she'd be known for something else.

:32:48.:33:00.

Carli Lloyd, is a USA international. 237 international appearances, if

:33:01.:33:18.

you include Olympic Games though, maybe gives a realistic air to that,

:33:19.:33:25.

but anyway. Paige Williams, a Liverpool girl. She was also at

:33:26.:33:37.

Everton for the 2010 final. She wasn't in the first team.

:33:38.:33:39.

INAUDIBLE This will be taken left footed.

:33:40.:33:57.

Steph Houghton in there and Lucy Bronze to attack the space, a little

:33:58.:34:00.

touch could send this in. Bronze starts that run in there, aimed

:34:01.:34:06.

towards Lucy Bronze. That's the next Mac Manchester City lead Birmingham

:34:07.:34:10.

by 1-0, in the 20 17th Cup Final. The minute free kick was set up, the

:34:11.:34:15.

way Birmingham set themselves up defensively on the way that Bronze

:34:16.:34:18.

and Houghton set themselves up to have the run, you thought it was

:34:19.:34:24.

going to go in. Lucy Bronze. It was a fantastic delivery. We spoken of

:34:25.:34:28.

their set pieces on throw-in is. What a ball that is, whipped in with

:34:29.:34:32.

so much pace, and Lucy Bronze does what she does. She gets in front of

:34:33.:34:38.

the defender. Defensively Kerys Houghton will be disappointed, she's

:34:39.:34:43.

put all her effort in there, but Lucy Bronze, a top, top header.

:34:44.:34:47.

She's another big player that can step up to the occasion. It's all

:34:48.:34:51.

about the delivery. Scored the goal that beat burning in the Continental

:34:52.:34:56.

Cup final and puts Manchester City ahead against the same opponents.

:34:57.:35:00.

She was a very young girl on the Sunderland team, beaten in the Cup

:35:01.:35:09.

Final by Arsenal in 2009. The PFA Footballer of the Year puts

:35:10.:35:12.

Manchester City one up. The next five minutes for Birmingham City are

:35:13.:35:19.

absolutely crucial. They need to manage, Sue, the next five. Yes,

:35:20.:35:24.

this is the most difficult part of the game. Obviously when you first

:35:25.:35:28.

start you want to get that good touching, but also when you can see

:35:29.:35:33.

the goal and it's a long way to go, they need to consolidate, get back

:35:34.:35:36.

into their shape and make sure that Manchester City don't score again

:35:37.:35:45.

quickly. Here's Bronze. Interesting talking to various managers and

:35:46.:35:49.

coaches over the years, how they do chunk again, they call it, some of

:35:50.:35:55.

them, they set out to manage various spells of the game. Some say digging

:35:56.:36:01.

when you have conceded a goal, some say, with Ruud Gullit, and Inter

:36:02.:36:09.

Milan, their mantra was, once you scored one, score three. For

:36:10.:36:14.

Manchester City, they need to concentrate, they say you are most

:36:15.:36:17.

vulnerable after you have just scored. A lot of 50-50s and so far

:36:18.:36:28.

Keira Walsh is playing very well for Manchester City, holding midfield

:36:29.:36:33.

role. They are just sitting there, it allows both full-backs to get

:36:34.:36:37.

forward. Demi Stokes and Lucy Bronze on the other side. Another attacking

:36:38.:36:44.

option. They've scored in 28 games in a row, Birmingham.

:36:45.:36:53.

The pace of the game... INAUDIBLE

:36:54.:37:10.

Mayling is from the Sutton Coldfield area of Birmingham.

:37:11.:38:03.

Optimistic from them. The youngster, only 19, Sarah Mayling.

:38:04.:38:27.

It's never a good thing if you are a Scrooge like character like me. The

:38:28.:38:36.

glorious occasion at Wembley. Great to work with Sue Smith the game. --

:38:37.:38:42.

again. Good pressure by Manchester City.

:38:43.:39:03.

They've got all the facilities, though, haven't they? In that

:39:04.:39:08.

wonderful Academy Stadium, one of the fittest looking WSL teams I've

:39:09.:39:12.

seen. The facilities are outstanding. They just treat them

:39:13.:39:15.

exactly the same as they do the men's team, so they eat in the same

:39:16.:39:20.

places, they obviously train at the Man City academy. Speak to the girls

:39:21.:39:31.

and they say, we probably couldn't go to any other club because they

:39:32.:39:33.

get treated so well. That's why they can attract world players of the

:39:34.:39:35.

year, like Carli Lloyd. Here's one for you, no pressure,

:39:36.:39:50.

because he's listening in, but was he right to name the squad so early

:39:51.:39:54.

for the European Championships? It gives them a chance, of course, to

:39:55.:39:58.

get prepared mentally, as a group, as the unit. Yes, I'm sure he'd

:39:59.:40:02.

answer the question better than I do. The reason for him naming it so

:40:03.:40:09.

early, I think quite a few were surprised because all of the squads

:40:10.:40:12.

I've been in it's never happened before but the fact he can get it

:40:13.:40:15.

squad together early and work on that sort of what he needs to work

:40:16.:40:18.

on really and create that good atmosphere that we've seen in

:40:19.:40:22.

Canada. A wonderful atmosphere it was, real bonding between

:40:23.:40:30.

management, players, supporters, media and one of the best I've

:40:31.:40:33.

experienced in my long time in the game. He is Birmingham with a free

:40:34.:40:40.

kick. It will be Paige Williams who will take it.

:40:41.:40:49.

Paige Williams, obviously went to Italy to try and develop a game and

:40:50.:41:10.

I certainly think she's come back a better player. A very good left

:41:11.:41:17.

foot. Birmingham's side has kept a clean sheet in the last four finals.

:41:18.:41:22.

Manchester City one up at the moment, a lapse of concentration

:41:23.:41:28.

there by Lucy Lawler. Manchester City I know they won the game 3-0,

:41:29.:41:34.

but they had to play in the WSL and won at Bristol in the week. They

:41:35.:41:39.

did, and I think to play away as well as Bristol, so they were

:41:40.:41:42.

travelling, they've got back to contend with. Here's Lucy Bronze for

:41:43.:41:48.

them. It's two! Izzy Christiansen arriving, but it's a lovely goals

:41:49.:41:53.

and Manchester City very much in the driving seat. 25 minutes gone in the

:41:54.:41:59.

2017 women's Cup Final, Manchester City goat 2-0 up against Birmingham

:42:00.:42:06.

City. The goal-scorer turned provider. Sometimes she's Manchester

:42:07.:42:10.

City's best attacking player. Good pressure, wins the ball back. Her

:42:11.:42:14.

first thought is to drive forward. She's looking up, where is my

:42:15.:42:19.

option, and her option is coming in. Izzy Christiansen comes running in,

:42:20.:42:22.

that late run into the box. She times her runs so, so well. Lovely

:42:23.:42:27.

delivery. What a finish from Izzy Christiansen. It's a long way back

:42:28.:42:39.

for Birmingham now. Former Birmingham City player, a player who

:42:40.:42:41.

watched from the bench in 2012 final, when they beat Chelsea.

:42:42.:42:43.

Scores against her old team. Manchester City are in a dominant

:42:44.:42:45.

position now. That's a difficult technique, as the ball is bouncing

:42:46.:42:49.

up its easy to lean back and hit that over the bar. Gets her head

:42:50.:42:55.

over it. Lovely break, lovely cross, super finish. Really good goal.

:42:56.:43:01.

They came with a game plan, Birmingham. Kept it very, very

:43:02.:43:13.

close, under wraps in the week. No leaks of the way they were going to

:43:14.:43:19.

play. But what is plan B? Jill Scott wins that one.

:43:20.:43:26.

Manchester City have it again, Keira Walsh just mopped up anything that

:43:27.:43:32.

has been losing there. Gets it back again from Stokes. Steph Houghton

:43:33.:43:37.

has crept into a bit of space. Very close to the edge of the

:43:38.:43:44.

penalty area, Ann-Katrin Berger. Good work again by Izzy

:43:45.:44:05.

Christiansen, covering that. It's just a little bit laboured thereby

:44:06.:44:10.

Ayisi. Need to take a touch out of her feet and even have a go, have a

:44:11.:44:15.

go at goal, but Izzy Christiansen very sharp, alert to any sort of

:44:16.:44:18.

situation. She's also got the engine to get forward and score the goal

:44:19.:44:21.

we've just seen. She's settled down a bit, Campbell.

:44:22.:44:36.

Bronze, very, very comfortable and confident.

:44:37.:44:47.

Parris, stayed out wide, but has to Jill Scott will work here, the

:44:48.:44:57.

Birmingham City coach. Birmingham at the moment can't cope

:44:58.:45:30.

with Manchester City's movement and the way they're interchanging in

:45:31.:45:36.

positions. It's difficult for them to mark the players. This

:45:37.:45:44.

competition' changed so much since its inception back in 1977.

:45:45.:45:49.

Southampton won five of the first six of them. The FA took direct

:45:50.:45:58.

control over women's football in 93. Here is Ayisi for Birmingham City.

:45:59.:46:03.

Out comes a confident Karen Bardsley.

:46:04.:46:15.

Ayisi did well. They needs to get into those channels and drive at

:46:16.:46:21.

players and try and get the ball into the box and hope somebody's

:46:22.:46:29.

going to be in there whether it's White or Brazil. Bardsley is always

:46:30.:46:34.

going to come out and collect easily. 5'11", Karen. That's tall

:46:35.:46:40.

for the women's game. Jill Scott of course the tallest out there.

:46:41.:46:49.

Crouchy is her nickname. It is. They say she is a joker on the team bus

:46:50.:46:59.

and the dressing room. She's all pulling out a few dance moves.

:47:00.:47:05.

You did it when you were in the England shirt on the pitch. Twinkle

:47:06.:47:15.

toes! Not got the moves of Jill Scott, though. Some of us never had

:47:16.:47:23.

them. Good timing on the pass. Now Lawley.

:47:24.:47:29.

Being chased. Gets a shot away and Berger makes sure it goes wide.

:47:30.:47:34.

It's another really fast break from Manchester City. They are looking to

:47:35.:47:37.

get the ball out wide at every opportunity. You can see the

:47:38.:47:46.

wingbacks trying to get back. Sargeants it difficult. Wonder if

:47:47.:47:51.

Carli Lloyd thinks she could have maybe crossed that. You have to have

:47:52.:47:57.

a go when you are running in there. Got a goal against Liverpool in the

:47:58.:48:03.

semifinal, Lawley. Christiansen's corner kick.

:48:04.:48:08.

Back sensibly to Campbell. That's a lovely delivery to the back stick.

:48:09.:48:16.

And it's three! It's Carli Lloyd! Olympic finals.

:48:17.:48:21.

World Cup final. And now the FA Cup final. The big game scorer. The

:48:22.:48:27.

world's best player. Carli Lloyd, surely puts the FA Cup final beyond

:48:28.:48:31.

Birmingham with 31 minutes played. Birmingham can't cope with the

:48:32.:48:35.

delivery into the box. It comes out. Christiansen plays the ball out.

:48:36.:48:43.

This is a lovely deep delivery. Carli Lloyd outjumps Berger in the

:48:44.:48:47.

goal. Good header. They've such quality in the box. Poor defending

:48:48.:48:51.

from Birmingham. White is there with two players. You have got to pick up

:48:52.:48:55.

those players when you know how good they are in the air. You know that

:48:56.:49:00.

Manchester City are going to get the ball into the box, you have to get

:49:01.:49:05.

players up. They've had a sort of a gathering, the Birmingham City

:49:06.:49:09.

players, to try to sort themselves out and they very much need to sort

:49:10.:49:14.

themselves out. Southampton hold the record for the biggest ever victory,

:49:15.:49:23.

8-2 over QPR in 1978. Pat Chapman scored six that day. One of the

:49:24.:49:26.

forerunners of the English women's game. At the moment you fear a

:49:27.:49:31.

drubbing for Birmingham City. Might not reach those proportions

:49:32.:49:34.

especially if Carter digs in like she did just there and wins the ball

:49:35.:49:39.

back. But it's been a horrible, horrible opening 32 minutes for

:49:40.:49:43.

Birmingham City. I think sometimes you have to play the occasion, as

:49:44.:49:49.

well. It just looks like Birmingham, the only real experience they've

:49:50.:49:53.

got, they've got the goalkeeper Berger. White really needs to pull

:49:54.:49:58.

those players together now. It's difficult, when you are 3-0 down

:49:59.:50:02.

after 30 minutes they need to dig in, exactly what you said. Has the

:50:03.:50:14.

occasion got to some players? Should the keeper have got the cross?

:50:15.:50:19.

You have to always say the goalkeeper has to beat the centre

:50:20.:50:23.

forward coming in. So, yes, definitely should have done better.

:50:24.:50:29.

I think also defensively Ellen White was left with Houghton and Carli

:50:30.:50:32.

Lloyd. Got to be able to pick up players. You can see it again.

:50:33.:50:40.

That's a brilliant delivery. Yes, goalkeeper has to at least get a

:50:41.:50:44.

punch on it. It was a late whip on the ball. As she came out it started

:50:45.:50:47.

drifting further away. It was a brilliant cross in. Yeah. You can't

:50:48.:50:52.

really take anything away from that delivery. It's too fantastic - it's

:50:53.:50:56.

two fantastic deliveries from her. Lawley again.

:50:57.:51:04.

Looking for Scott. Dispossessed in there by Hegerberg. The game largely

:51:05.:51:09.

has by-passed a player scribed as one of the best in Europe. A

:51:10.:51:12.

wonderful addition to the team according to the previous manager of

:51:13.:51:21.

Birmingham City. Quit after five years in December.

:51:22.:51:27.

Good pressure. Back to White. Couldn't get the shot away. Ran away

:51:28.:51:38.

from her. Mayling's cross. Manchester City have a problem...

:51:39.:51:41.

May be a wound to the face. She tried to call the referee's

:51:42.:51:45.

attention to it. The referee hasn't seen it.

:51:46.:51:49.

Is it her eye? She's seeing if she has clear vision.

:51:50.:52:06.

Gone down on to her knees. She has developed now into one of

:52:07.:52:12.

the best defenders I would say beyond Europe, one of the best

:52:13.:52:15.

defenders in the world. Completely agree with you. She's got better and

:52:16.:52:21.

better every season. Considering she had such a nightmare couple of

:52:22.:52:27.

seasons with a bad knee injury, she's just got - just improved.

:52:28.:52:31.

That's a contact lens, isn't it? It is. Carry on, sorry. I said earlier

:52:32.:52:38.

the fact that she still is wanting to improve and wanting to develop

:52:39.:52:41.

but she's such a good athlete and now very good on the ball. Can also

:52:42.:52:47.

add goals to her game. Yeah, without a doubt she is a world-class

:52:48.:52:54.

rightback. An important little discussion going on in there.

:52:55.:53:04.

With the coach. While he watches on, Nick Cushing.

:53:05.:53:12.

Part of the development, 12-16 development stage at Manchester City

:53:13.:53:18.

before taking up the women's yob in 2013, November. Alan Mahon is his

:53:19.:53:31.

assistant. He worked in Tranmere. That's your part of the world. Yes,

:53:32.:53:36.

final today. Yes, it's here. Is it here? It is here. That was my

:53:37.:53:48.

first club Tranmere Rovers, I always look out for their results. Busy

:53:49.:53:50.

week for Wembley Stadium. The pitch is looking great. That's a

:53:51.:53:58.

lovely looking ball attempted away from the back.

:53:59.:54:08.

Too long in the end by Mannion. Busy old spell for the great

:54:09.:54:16.

stadium. Trophy coming up next week. Then FA Cup final.

:54:17.:54:21.

Play-offs. A little push on the back of Lucy Bronze.

:54:22.:54:34.

Manchester City have kept 15 clean sheets in the last 21 games.

:54:35.:54:40.

Birmingham have struggled to score goals. Three in their last five in

:54:41.:54:44.

all competitions. It's that final ball from Birmingham

:54:45.:55:21.

and you wonder is it still nerves? They get into decent positions but

:55:22.:55:24.

either overhit the pass or pick the wrong option.

:55:25.:55:33.

Two teams, from 254 who entered the 47th FA women's Cup. One is the

:55:34.:55:37.

dominant team so far. That's a poor pass out. Straight to Lawley.

:55:38.:55:43.

Lloyd has space. Lawley is pointing where she wants

:55:44.:55:47.

the ball to go. Back to Christiansen. Here is Stokes. Lawley

:55:48.:55:54.

is into the wide position. Birmingham defence readjusts and

:55:55.:55:57.

comes out. Manchester City let them off the

:55:58.:56:01.

hook there. They did. You thought they could have probably carried on

:56:02.:56:06.

down that side. They had two options. It's interesting they

:56:07.:56:12.

switched play. Lawley to Stokes. Took it down well initially. Gone

:56:13.:56:23.

for the chip. She went for the goal. Involved in that Sunderland team

:56:24.:56:29.

beaten by Arsenal back in 2009, Demi Stokes. A young girl then. Went out

:56:30.:56:34.

to America and spent a fair amount of time, first at Vancouver

:56:35.:56:38.

Whitecaps in the American football scene and then on to the University

:56:39.:56:40.

of South Florida. Lost out to Ayisi, Stokes. Has been

:56:41.:56:54.

a couple of ifs, buts and maybes. There has. It's that final delivery.

:56:55.:57:00.

I am sure that's what Marc Skinner will say at half-time. You have got

:57:01.:57:05.

into decent positions, do something with it. Find the pass.

:57:06.:57:18.

Hegerberg is beginning to find room, can't find a teammate.

:57:19.:57:27.

Not the best of afternoons for a player of her ability.

:57:28.:57:33.

I think the midfield three for Manchester City is interesting.

:57:34.:57:37.

Scott and Walsh have been excellent. The first and second to every single

:57:38.:57:42.

ball. Good balance, as well. Lloyd dropping in there to add to

:57:43.:57:47.

numbers, has done superbly well and Lucy Bronze. Towards Jill Scott.

:57:48.:57:51.

Lloyd has made a run from deep. Takes up a dangerous position.

:57:52.:57:58.

If Parris can get in there. Lucy Bronze. Parris. Now a challenge by

:57:59.:58:08.

Hegerberg. She's having a look. A bit hesitant. On by Williams.

:58:09.:58:13.

They're covering the ground so fast, Manchester City.

:58:14.:58:18.

When they pressurise they do it in ones and twos, so it makes it

:58:19.:58:22.

difficult for Birmingham to get out. Tackle in pairs, one of the first

:58:23.:58:25.

drills you are instructed in Azpilicueta a kid. -- you are

:58:26.:58:39.

instructed in as a kid. Very aware, Carli Lloyd. . It comes

:58:40.:58:53.

to Christiansen. Here is Bronze. Carli Lloyd had them mesmerised.

:58:54.:58:59.

Wide by Blonz. Bronze. -- wide by Bronze. Every time Lloyd gets the

:59:00.:59:13.

ball, oozes real class. She always seems to make the right decision.

:59:14.:59:19.

Played well after a shaky start. I am told her grandad is the lead

:59:20.:59:28.

guitarist of the Dubliners, Eamon Campbell. You remember them? No!

:59:29.:59:41.

Well beyond my... A couple of minutes before half-time interval. A

:59:42.:59:44.

couple of minutes of stoppage time, I would think.

:59:45.:59:51.

A little bit of a stoppage for the Lucy Bronze eye thing, what do you

:59:52.:59:53.

call it? Contact lens. That's it. Hegerberg. She's a better player

:59:54.:00:08.

than she has shown here today, I think.

:00:09.:00:14.

Sf She covers a lot of ground. She's energetic. But I think the midfield

:00:15.:00:17.

three have not really allowed her to even get on to the ball. Manchester

:00:18.:00:21.

City have been excellent. One early dangerous attempt by

:00:22.:00:30.

Ayisi. Apart from that, it's been all Manchester City.

:00:31.:00:45.

This is Kerys Harrop's fifth final for the club.

:00:46.:01:12.

Steph Houghton shouting for it. She bustles on and on and on, so typical

:01:13.:01:19.

of her aggressive run. Hegerberg, caught by Carli Lloyd.

:01:20.:01:37.

She's had a couple of yellow cards at Manchester City. I've got to say,

:01:38.:01:44.

that was really good play by Keira Walsh. She was caught in possession

:01:45.:01:48.

by Ellen White but she didn't give up and kept battling back and won

:01:49.:01:52.

the ball. A lovely pass, cooling possession. -- cool in possession.

:01:53.:02:02.

Hooked in by Mayling. A couple of minutes of time added on at the end

:02:03.:02:09.

of the half. It's a Manchester City through, despite the protests of

:02:10.:02:10.

Paige Williams. Scott, no pressure on her there.

:02:11.:02:28.

Really on Walsh. Off the ball they've worked really hard finding a

:02:29.:02:30.

space. They've had to work so hard,

:02:31.:02:51.

Birmingham, the defenders. When you are working hard and not in

:02:52.:02:58.

possession, it is a killer for you. It drains you, you've got the ball,

:02:59.:03:03.

and you have so much more energy. It's a real energy supper when you

:03:04.:03:10.

are just chasing the game. Stokes group under pressure from Lloyd and

:03:11.:03:13.

good work by Christiansen. Parris couldn't bring it down. A high foot

:03:14.:03:24.

thereby Harrop, not given. Bronze, Scott, quickly round the corner.

:03:25.:03:29.

Good football by Manchester City. A little bit of a mix up there.

:03:30.:03:37.

Going to Holland, in the England squad in the summer. Izzy

:03:38.:03:43.

Christiansen, what a good final she's had.

:03:44.:03:54.

Campbell, again, no pressure on her. 3-0 to Manchester City at half-time,

:03:55.:04:02.

Lucy Bronze after 18 minutes, Christiansen lovely goal in seven

:04:03.:04:06.

minutes after that, Carli Lloyd. Your body Manchester City have

:04:07.:04:09.

completely dominated the game. I think Birmingham need to be more

:04:10.:04:13.

compact, more tight, they need to offer options going forward and be

:04:14.:04:17.

better with the ball. The world's best player goes in at half-time

:04:18.:04:23.

with her team, 3-0 up in the FA Cup final.

:04:24.:04:24.

STUDIO: A dream start for Manchester City,

:04:25.:04:27.

and nightmare for Birmingham City. What's your assessment of the first

:04:28.:04:33.

half, Rachel? Birmingham had a spell of about 15 minutes where it was

:04:34.:04:36.

pretty even, they had good possession and they looked fairly

:04:37.:04:42.

dangerous, but City have had chances and they've been really clinical.

:04:43.:04:44.

They just looked like they are on another level at the moment. Alex,

:04:45.:04:47.

Birmingham before the game said they wouldn't show any fear. What do you

:04:48.:04:50.

think went wrong? Whether you're overwhelmed by the opposition on the

:04:51.:04:55.

occasion? I don't think so, like Rachel said, the first 15 minutes of

:04:56.:04:59.

the game they looked organised and there were growing in confidence.

:05:00.:05:02.

Where they've been done is they've not been able to deal with crosses,

:05:03.:05:08.

Lucy Bronze's Rosol Carli Lloyd's goal as well. Mark, if you were Mark

:05:09.:05:13.

Simpson Webber Mark Sampson, what would you do? They haven't got a

:05:14.:05:18.

neat field position. They have to decide how we get out of the half,

:05:19.:05:23.

whether its direct balls, or some balls over the top, and Brazil and

:05:24.:05:27.

Ayisi, when they have the chance to run down the sides have done OK

:05:28.:05:30.

outputs and crosses in but while the game is in front of Man City they'll

:05:31.:05:35.

be quite comfortable. Let's look at the first goal. Lucy Bronze seems to

:05:36.:05:39.

have a habit of scoring quite a few goals for a defender. They made it

:05:40.:05:44.

easy from the goalkeeper perspective, we are seeing where the

:05:45.:05:49.

ball, when the ball is kicked, the Birmingham defenders are seven yards

:05:50.:05:51.

out and it gives no room for the keeper to get it. Take nothing away

:05:52.:05:55.

from Lucy Bronze's run, she runs all the way from outside the 18 to get

:05:56.:05:59.

across Kerys Harrop at the front rows and it's a fantastic set piece

:06:00.:06:02.

and well executed in the end. It goes down to Lucy Bronze's mentality

:06:03.:06:07.

because you can work on set pieces all week in training but you have to

:06:08.:06:10.

have the determination to want to get across your player and the

:06:11.:06:20.

determination she's shown to finish it. What's your view, Mark? And I

:06:21.:06:23.

agree, set pieces can make the difference. Sometimes you have to

:06:24.:06:25.

hold up your hands, great delivery, great header. Where executed, same

:06:26.:06:30.

as the third goal. They couldn't cope with those deliveries into the

:06:31.:06:34.

box. Let's look at the second goal, Izzy Christiansen, a beautiful

:06:35.:06:39.

finish. It was, it's the desire from Lucy Bronze in the first one to get

:06:40.:06:43.

on the ball and as Mark said, they don't do themselves any favours,

:06:44.:06:46.

Birmingham, playing the game in their own defensive third and it's a

:06:47.:06:51.

slip-up, an error from them. City regained possession, there's still

:06:52.:06:58.

plenty to do to end up in a goal but Izzy was unmarked. The composure she

:06:59.:07:01.

showed, the ball pops up in front of her. It's pretty special. We are

:07:02.:07:06.

mentioning Lucy Bronze a lot but she's had a fantastic path. The

:07:07.:07:10.

thing I'm impressed with Lucy Bronze here is in past games her picking

:07:11.:07:14.

out a person when she gets in crosses hasn't been good, but I'm so

:07:15.:07:17.

glad to see Lucy Bronze pick her head up and kick Izzy Christiansen

:07:18.:07:23.

out for that goal. So many players in your squad, a good match to be

:07:24.:07:28.

watching today? Yes, absolutely, it's great for Izzy, she watches the

:07:29.:07:32.

play, takes her eyes off the ball and arrives at the right time to

:07:33.:07:35.

give herself an excellent finishing opportunity. I agree, Bronze, the

:07:36.:07:39.

last thing you want to do with bronzes give her a chance to go on

:07:40.:07:43.

the front foot and win the ball. Kerys will potentially play the ball

:07:44.:07:45.

over the top of her run the game is

:07:46.:08:00.

different. The third goal, Carli Lloyd has scored in many finals, but

:08:01.:08:03.

was the goalkeeper at fault? You are bobbing Wembley is a good place for

:08:04.:08:05.

her. Who would have bet against getting her head on this? A

:08:06.:08:09.

beautiful ball. A lovely swinging ball. From that distance, to pick

:08:10.:08:15.

out that area, Berger will be disappointed but there's no

:08:16.:08:23.

pressure, no defenders but up and challenge Steph Houghton and the

:08:24.:08:25.

World Player of the Year, Carli Lloyd. She loves a stage like this,

:08:26.:08:29.

Carli, she'll be delighted to get a goal. Another goal! No doubt. We saw

:08:30.:08:36.

a Birmingham team chat up the touchline. What do you think would

:08:37.:08:41.

have been said? It's a real tough moment because the first big game

:08:42.:08:49.

for Marc is a senior manager. They've consolidated, they stayed in

:08:50.:08:53.

the game. When it went three, all others in the studio were thinking

:08:54.:08:57.

this could be four, five, six, so they've got to half-time, only make

:08:58.:09:02.

it three. Cause Man City some problems and in big games, when you

:09:03.:09:06.

score one, maybe it brings two once the game is very different. Two

:09:07.:09:10.

years ago Notts County Ladies appeared in the first women's FA Cup

:09:11.:09:13.

final to be played here but last month just two days before the start

:09:14.:09:18.

of the new league season, they folded, leaving their players,

:09:19.:09:21.

including England and Scotland internationals, looking for new

:09:22.:09:25.

clubs, just weeks before the European Championships. Eilidh

:09:26.:09:27.

Barbour has been talking to one of them.

:09:28.:09:33.

You never know what's around the corner and that couldn't be more

:09:34.:09:38.

true for 2015 FA Cup finalist Leanne Crichton. Looking forward to her WSL

:09:39.:09:43.

Spring Series in the lead up to her first-ever major tournament with

:09:44.:09:47.

Scotland, it all suddenly changed, with shock news from club side Notts

:09:48.:09:53.

County. I think it's been a roller-coaster of emotions,

:09:54.:09:57.

literally within hours we went through preparing for a game on the

:09:58.:10:01.

Sunday looking to training, and that seemed to be it. It was just the

:10:02.:10:06.

end. The reality of leaving a team-mate and your friends, it's

:10:07.:10:12.

been hard. It caught everybody off-guard and me personally, I think

:10:13.:10:15.

the PFA in particular were fantastic. If it hadn't been for

:10:16.:10:18.

them, a lot of players would have really struggled to know what to do.

:10:19.:10:24.

The FA, it's been a learning curve for them as well. Maybe they didn't

:10:25.:10:29.

expect it to happen, in WSL one and maybe it's something of a future I'd

:10:30.:10:32.

like to think it would never happen again. A lot of teams are probably

:10:33.:10:37.

week by week struggling. Apart from the bigger names and the ones that

:10:38.:10:51.

have a lot of financial support, that's always the problem. There

:10:52.:10:53.

weren't that many clubs in a position to take on players because

:10:54.:10:55.

budgets were so tight. You've come back up to Scotland. How did that

:10:56.:10:59.

come about? Do you feel lucky to have had this option? Guys will say

:11:00.:11:03.

to you they had contacts pretty much straightaway, they let me know I'd

:11:04.:11:08.

be more than welcome to come home. The hardest part for me is just

:11:09.:11:12.

waiting until my time to train our game. I feel like I'm sitting

:11:13.:11:16.

looking at the clock every hour, thinking I want to be on the pitch

:11:17.:11:20.

again. We are still up, training in the early morning and a lot of that

:11:21.:11:24.

is preparation towards the euros and the girls that have been lucky

:11:25.:11:27.

enough to receive the funding will be relieved from their day jobs just

:11:28.:11:33.

now. For your image team-mates at Notts County, it must be vitally

:11:34.:11:36.

important that you've got football between now and the summer. Yes,

:11:37.:11:41.

everybody wants to play. It's nice to see most of us have got teams now

:11:42.:11:47.

and look to build between now and July and hopefully put ourselves in

:11:48.:11:51.

good stead. The first game against England, it must be something you're

:11:52.:11:56.

looking forward to? It's super exciting. Scotland have waited a

:11:57.:11:59.

long time to get to those finals and will certainly enjoy it, knowing

:12:00.:12:03.

people in the side and having friends it will be a nice

:12:04.:12:08.

experience. Devastating situation for everybody at Notts County and

:12:09.:12:11.

for the players who were at Notts County, I should say, the England

:12:12.:12:16.

squad, three of them have clubs, Laura Bassett hasn't. How disruptive

:12:17.:12:21.

is that for you and the players? First and foremost it is

:12:22.:12:24.

disappointing situation. Somebody at the club should be disappointed

:12:25.:12:27.

themselves in terms of how they've handled it, allowing it to get to

:12:28.:12:30.

that point. The players have been incredible, not just the England

:12:31.:12:34.

players but every player at the football club. Their professionalism

:12:35.:12:37.

and determination to get back on the bandwagon and start playing again.

:12:38.:12:41.

We are quite relaxed about it. I've spoken to all the girls involved,

:12:42.:12:46.

whether England players or centrally contracted, or Rachel who's been

:12:47.:12:48.

involved for the last six months, all are relaxed between now and the

:12:49.:12:52.

start of June when we get together. We are relaxed about where they'll

:12:53.:12:55.

be and they'll make sure they turn up in June. The good thing is the FA

:12:56.:13:01.

gave them special dispensation to go to other clubs, but it's also a

:13:02.:13:04.

matter of settling in. Of course, and it's a short space of time. It's

:13:05.:13:08.

a very unique season this year. If it was a season where this situation

:13:09.:13:12.

happened in August and it's happened in June, it would be a real

:13:13.:13:29.

problem for but look at the climate in terms of the number of games, we

:13:30.:13:34.

are relaxed about where the players need to be and they'll get there. It

:13:35.:13:36.

was announced today before the Spring Series started. Looking at

:13:37.:13:38.

the positives, how our preparations going for the euros? We are excited.

:13:39.:13:41.

We're going to be a tournament to win it. We will do our homework on

:13:42.:13:44.

our opponents. Lightly and said, it will be a tough game against

:13:45.:13:47.

Scotland, for them as well as others. -- like Leon said. If we can

:13:48.:13:50.

get through the group we are in a great position to go a long way.

:13:51.:13:53.

Alex, how much are you looking forward to that match? Straightaway

:13:54.:13:58.

the excitement and looking forward to that game, it was always meant to

:13:59.:14:03.

happen, as soon as Scotland qualified and the England Scotland

:14:04.:14:09.

game was on the cards. Major for Scotland two. Huge. Five live and

:14:10.:14:13.

five live sports extra will have live commentary on all the games in

:14:14.:14:18.

2017, starting with a crucial match between England and Scotland on July

:14:19.:14:22.

the 19th. A busy weekend of football here on the BBC, includes Match Of

:14:23.:14:29.

The Day 2 two extra on BBC Two at 12:15pm tomorrow, Match Of The Day 2

:14:30.:14:32.

tomorrow night includes highlights of three Sunday fixtures in the

:14:33.:14:36.

Premier League, including the big relegation battle between Crystal

:14:37.:14:41.

Palace and Hull City. There's a special Match Of The Day on Monday,

:14:42.:14:44.

with highlights of the Premier League champions Chelsea against

:14:45.:14:49.

Watford. The FA People's cup this year saw hundreds of entrants from

:14:50.:14:54.

girls and women's five-a-side teams including She Can she Play. A prime

:14:55.:15:02.

example of how anybody of any age and ability can start playing

:15:03.:15:03.

football. Well done. Inside and outside with

:15:04.:15:18.

your left foot. Well done, Nicky. We are just a group of mums that wanted

:15:19.:15:22.

to come along with their daughters and play football. We made friends

:15:23.:15:25.

and learned some skills and now we are playing in the tournament

:15:26.:15:29.

together. You are going to go over to the sports hall.

:15:30.:15:35.

It's showing young girls that there should be no barriers to sport, what

:15:36.:15:39.

greater role models than us? To see action from the People's Cup

:15:40.:15:51.

and maybe enter a team for next year go to the BBC Get Inspired website.

:15:52.:15:58.

Here at half-time in the 2017 women's FA Cup final Manchester City

:15:59.:16:02.

lead Birmingham City 3-0. When Birmingham City lifted the Cup in

:16:03.:16:06.

2012 by beating Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out the scorer of the winning

:16:07.:16:10.

spot kick and player of the match was Karen Carney. She's been

:16:11.:16:15.

watching the first half. Yeah, that was a great day for Birmingham. It's

:16:16.:16:17.

been more difficult this afternoon. Is there any way back? My heart

:16:18.:16:21.

wants to say yes but my head says it's going to be very hard for

:16:22.:16:24.

Birmingham to get back into the game. City have been dominant and

:16:25.:16:27.

Birmingham struggled with the crosses. It's going to be hard. City

:16:28.:16:32.

still have a strong bench to come on. It's going to be hard, my heart

:16:33.:16:39.

wants to say yes. The likes of Duggan warming up behind us. In

:16:40.:16:43.

terms of Birmingham's bench, is there changes before the second half

:16:44.:16:47.

to try to make a difference? Definitely he needs to change

:16:48.:16:51.

something perhaps up front, maybe push White higher up. Manchester

:16:52.:16:56.

City's back line hasn't been tested, it's been too easy for them at

:16:57.:17:05.

times. Maybe bring Wellings on. Need to get them further up and get a

:17:06.:17:10.

goal in the first 15 minutes to give them confidence. It's been hard,

:17:11.:17:13.

scoring hasn't been their strength the last couple of seasons,

:17:14.:17:16.

hopefully an early goal will help them. Ellen White has loads of

:17:17.:17:21.

experience, how much responsibility now lies on her to bring the younger

:17:22.:17:24.

players through this difficult second half? She's going to have to

:17:25.:17:30.

take it on her shoulders and carry them through. Her experience is key,

:17:31.:17:34.

the youngsters might not know how to deal with it being 3-0 down at

:17:35.:17:38.

half-time, she's going to have to step up as well as the other senior

:17:39.:17:42.

players, and the goalkeeper is experienced as well. It's going to

:17:43.:17:46.

be a big 15-minute push, they need to get a goal and make it quick and

:17:47.:17:50.

early. If you were in the dressing room, I am sure the Manchester City

:17:51.:17:54.

dressing room would be the best one to be in right now, it's a big

:17:55.:17:57.

second half for them, as well, if they concede a goal early on it

:17:58.:18:00.

could be very different. It could be. The first 15 minutes is key. So

:18:01.:18:05.

far Manchester City are dominant and in control. You don't really see

:18:06.:18:10.

them giving this trophy up at the moment. They're in... We will see

:18:11.:18:15.

how it goes. The teams are coming out now. Thank you, Karen.

:18:16.:18:23.

Mark, what do you do from here, if you are Birmingham City, do you shut

:18:24.:18:27.

up shop, try not to concede more goals or go for it? You do the

:18:28.:18:31.

latter. It's a cup final, it's a one-off, might be the only time you

:18:32.:18:35.

get there. Wouldn't surprise me if a change of shape to give Manchester

:18:36.:18:38.

City something different to think about. I agree with Karen, get the

:18:39.:18:50.

ball forward quicker. At least make sfef and Megan, defend high balls.

:18:51.:18:54.

We need to play, Birmingham City need to play their game higher up

:18:55.:18:57.

the pitch and that will give them a chance. 3-0 at half-time. Let's get

:18:58.:19:04.

back to our commentary team, Jonathan Pearce and Sue Smith.

:19:05.:19:09.

Thank you very much. Can't see any signs of any substitutions at

:19:10.:19:13.

half-time. A little huddle for Birmingham. What

:19:14.:19:20.

would you do? Mark said they may change the shape. Unless you get

:19:21.:19:24.

wingbacks forward in that formation in the opposition third it's a

:19:25.:19:27.

negative situation if they're pushed back all the time, they're

:19:28.:19:30.

redundant. You are right. They were pretty much playing a back five for

:19:31.:19:34.

the majority of the first half. You probably have to do that. The fact

:19:35.:19:39.

when they did get forward Manchester City really exploited that width, if

:19:40.:19:44.

you like, the channel balls. They got that pace to do so. I think the

:19:45.:19:49.

units were too spread out. The centre forwards were very disjointed

:19:50.:19:53.

from the midfield and vice versa and Manchester City can play in those

:19:54.:19:57.

pockets of space. Off we go in the second half. Birmingham kicking from

:19:58.:20:03.

right-to-left in the darker blue. When they won the 2012 final against

:20:04.:20:11.

Chelsea from a spot kick, it would be a miracle if we get to that

:20:12.:20:15.

today. It would be an astounding comeback. It's important they get

:20:16.:20:21.

players higher. As we heard Mark say at half-time, they spent the almost

:20:22.:20:25.

the tir 45 minutes encamped in their own half. They have to get bodies

:20:26.:20:30.

higher up the pitch. Another free kick now. There is the

:20:31.:20:36.

coach of Birmingham City with a real job to do now.

:20:37.:20:43.

Can he inspire a real comeback, Marc Skinner? He says he hasn't stopped

:20:44.:20:52.

smiling since he got the job. He was grimacing at times in the first

:20:53.:20:55.

half. Down the line looking for Ayisi.

:20:56.:21:12.

Notice plea she didn't follow her pass and get forward in support and

:21:13.:21:16.

they've got again bodies sluggishly forward. They're there now. Look at

:21:17.:21:19.

the number of blue shirts back for Manchester City. Still Ayisi who has

:21:20.:21:26.

worked very hard for Birmingham. A cross into the box from Williams.

:21:27.:21:33.

Campbell. White. Frustrations growing. Did you notice that as she

:21:34.:21:39.

passed the ball forward, Williams, down to Ayisi, she just watched. She

:21:40.:21:45.

should progress. You are right. She's wary of getting forward and

:21:46.:21:47.

overcommitting. That's what Birmingham need to do to get back

:21:48.:21:52.

into the game. White made the running and Carter was following up.

:21:53.:21:54.

When they have extra options they're going to cause Manchester City a

:21:55.:21:55.

problem. Another great touch. Pressure by

:21:56.:22:12.

Lucy Bronze. Carli Lloyd. Dispossessed by Carter. Back again.

:22:13.:22:41.

Overconfident with the pass. Here is Parris for Manchester stif.

:22:42.:22:54.

-- Manchester City. Now Paige Williams. Angled forward

:22:55.:22:58.

for Brazil. Seems Birmingham City in the second

:22:59.:23:08.

half have pushed White really advanced. She was slightly deeper

:23:09.:23:14.

than the two wider forwards, but she's right up top now. There she

:23:15.:23:22.

is. Back it comes to Mayling. No great

:23:23.:23:26.

conviction in there, was there? That's the problem. I think it's

:23:27.:23:31.

good that White is further forward. She will get hold of the ball and

:23:32.:23:35.

she needs players to play off, somebody to pass the ball to. When

:23:36.:23:39.

she got it she was very isolated but yeah, there needs to be conviction

:23:40.:23:43.

with the ball in and also the runners into the box. They still

:23:44.:23:51.

look a little scared. Incredible tweet this morning, she was out for

:23:52.:23:54.

a jog on the morning of the Cup final. Like yourself. Indeed myself,

:23:55.:23:57.

a fitness fanatic as you know, Sue! Now Williams.

:23:58.:24:10.

Not sure I would be jogging before an FA Cup final. No.

:24:11.:24:16.

Not done her any harm. A remarkable character.

:24:17.:24:19.

Another reason she's come to England is to get more games. They don't

:24:20.:24:24.

play that many club games in America. This sort of standard. Yes,

:24:25.:24:31.

the international teams together for long periods of the year. Ayisi.

:24:32.:24:37.

Dispossessed by Bronze. Looking for a free kick that didn't come.

:24:38.:24:42.

Christiansen has been tidy throughout the game.

:24:43.:24:46.

Jill Scott always provides an outball. Lucy Bronze to Parris. Good

:24:47.:24:55.

football by Manchester City. Parris delayed the pass in. A good

:24:56.:25:01.

run, though. Very good run. Forces a corner. Really good run by

:25:02.:25:11.

Parris. She wants to go forward and have a go at defenders. Gets the

:25:12.:25:20.

team a corner. Lawley will take it. At Birmingham until last December. A

:25:21.:25:29.

Kidderminster girl, actually. She's got Jill Scott in at the near post

:25:30.:25:34.

and Parris just behind and four runners coming in. Sfef Houghton.

:25:35.:25:39.

It was off target but it was a freeish header.

:25:40.:25:46.

That was another good quality header from Houghton. Had a run on White.

:25:47.:25:52.

White was standing. Couldn't get it on target.

:25:53.:26:11.

Parris has switched flanks. A problem for Lawley. Lawley is

:26:12.:26:19.

hobbling. May have a problem here. Christiansen couldn't get beyond

:26:20.:26:27.

Hegerberg. A decent turn.

:26:28.:26:34.

Had a falling out with a coach in Germany. Has a good pedigree.

:26:35.:26:42.

This is Williams. Cut out by Lucy Bronze.

:26:43.:26:45.

Look at the forward line of Birmingham. When they go forward

:26:46.:26:50.

they are all in straight line, they need to break that line up a little

:26:51.:26:56.

bit more. One comes short, one go long. The same sort of runs means

:26:57.:27:01.

there's no option for midfield. Manchester City well in command.

:27:02.:27:16.

If you have just joined us Lucy Bronze put them ahead. Then Izzy

:27:17.:27:21.

Christiansen with a splendid well worked goal. Then Carli Lloyd made

:27:22.:27:28.

it three on 32 minutes. They had brilliant crossing from the left

:27:29.:27:35.

wing. There is Lloyd. Harrop under pressure. Back to the

:27:36.:27:42.

goalkeeper. What a career Carli Lloyd has had.

:27:43.:27:47.

Five goals in the World Cup finals. Fastest hat-trick in the history of

:27:48.:27:51.

a World Cup final. Double Olympic gold winner. Scored

:27:52.:27:55.

in two Olympic finals. Again Mannion tries to play. A free

:27:56.:28:08.

kick here for Manchester City. Not the greatest of starts to the

:28:09.:28:27.

new spring series, Manchester City. Won the last two. Drew the first

:28:28.:28:31.

game of the campaign against Birmingham. A shortened season.

:28:32.:28:38.

Parris! Tried to bend the shot. Got a touch on it. It could have been

:28:39.:28:44.

four. It really could. Good break from Stokes. What a ball that is.

:28:45.:28:50.

What a run from Parris. She was trying to bend it into the far

:28:51.:28:55.

corner. The right thing to do. Good hand from Berger.

:28:56.:29:10.

Lawley with it. Four could make it mission

:29:11.:29:14.

impossible. A little tussle in there but away by Berger. Came a long way

:29:15.:29:17.

to get that. Walsh, has had an excellent game. An

:29:18.:29:30.

appeal over there by Sargeant. Carli Lloyd.

:29:31.:29:37.

Always comfortable on the ball. Cruises on the ball. She can be

:29:38.:29:44.

feisty, Darley -- Carli Lloyd. Are they going to think of a change,

:29:45.:30:04.

Manchester City? This is Carter. Good interception by Campbell -- by

:30:05.:30:09.

Campbell who has done well. Just too far ahead of Mayling who looked

:30:10.:30:14.

leaden-footed there. A slump to the shoulder, a tired look about one or

:30:15.:30:19.

two Birmingham players. A showpiece occasion. 3-0 down at the break and

:30:20.:30:22.

here is a substitution. It's going to be Toni Duggan comes

:30:23.:30:35.

on. It's going to be Lawley who departs, picked up that injury

:30:36.:30:40.

moments ago. I think Birmingham won't want to see Toni Duggan coming

:30:41.:30:45.

on the field. Not only is she a great player, just coming in off the

:30:46.:30:48.

back of a hat-trick against Bristol, but she's got a point to prove. She

:30:49.:30:52.

will have wanted to start in this game. She will be really

:30:53.:31:00.

disappointed not to have. The Ghanaian born England under 23,

:31:01.:31:08.

Ayisi. They've just been too good for them, Manchester City, really in

:31:09.:31:12.

every area. Mannion, under pressure, just got away with it.

:31:13.:31:26.

In towards Lloyd. She got a cloud for her troubles. She knew it was

:31:27.:31:38.

coming. Jess Carter wins it back. Typically abrasive style. In towards

:31:39.:31:41.

Ayisi. This is promising for Birmingham City. Bronze got back to

:31:42.:31:44.

Ayisi, just held onto it too long. Again, that's a weary looking Sarah

:31:45.:32:06.

Mayling. They will think about more two substitutions.

:32:07.:32:13.

Toni Duggan comes from the same part of the world as you do, and she a

:32:14.:32:21.

spiky, wholehearted full of life character, who would have been

:32:22.:32:24.

absolutely shell-shocked by the decision not to pick her up the

:32:25.:32:28.

start. Of course, you want to play in big games like this and Toni

:32:29.:32:31.

Duggan is another big game player. She will have been really

:32:32.:32:36.

disappointed. As a player, if you score three goals, you expect

:32:37.:32:39.

probably to start in the next game. She will definitely be wanting to

:32:40.:32:44.

show just what she's about. Two words to describe Toni Duggan...

:32:45.:32:46.

INAUDIBLE . That's good. A terrible mistake by

:32:47.:32:55.

Ann-Katrin Berger, got away with it. I think we were all chatty from that

:32:56.:32:58.

part of the world. You're telling me. I thought I'd say it before you

:32:59.:33:03.

did. This is going to be the first time

:33:04.:33:52.

we've seen a long throw from Megan Campbell, and if you haven't seen

:33:53.:33:57.

her, just get ready for this. This is one of the longest throws in

:33:58.:34:04.

world football. She can reach the far post in normal ground. Don't

:34:05.:34:08.

forget, this is Wembley, but in normal grounds, she absolutely

:34:09.:34:16.

arrows them in. To the near post... You built it up there! All around

:34:17.:34:21.

us, however many thousands there are in the crowd, there was a big groan!

:34:22.:34:27.

We expect so much from her now, after the two throws that she did

:34:28.:34:32.

against Reading, set up both goals. A couple of them in a couple of

:34:33.:34:39.

minutes, came off the bench. It changed the whole game. I don't know

:34:40.:34:46.

if I've the build up a throw as much as that, ever! Dear oh dear. They

:34:47.:34:54.

are normally very good! Normally the longest throw-in world football.

:34:55.:35:01.

Here we have Manchester City in total control. They look to set

:35:02.:35:05.

Parris alight. Harrop doesn't know the meaning of

:35:06.:35:17.

the word surrender. She would play steadfastly all the way through. A

:35:18.:35:24.

youth team member at Birmingham, Kerys Harrop. Caught by Carli Lloyd.

:35:25.:35:30.

I can tell you we now know how many thousands there are in here, 35,271,

:35:31.:35:40.

that's record for a Women's FA Cup Final. It's a great policy the FA

:35:41.:35:48.

have for this. Kids go free. Remember that for this time next

:35:49.:35:49.

year. Let's remind people, Sue, it's

:35:50.:36:01.

important if you do have a chance to support your local WSL team, it is a

:36:02.:36:07.

good afternoon or evening out, watching football, if you are into

:36:08.:36:11.

women's football, if you are young player. Alan -- here's Ellen White.

:36:12.:36:20.

She's tested Bardsley. Work to do for the Manchester City goalkeeper

:36:21.:36:24.

at last. It's exactly what Birmingham need to do, see the

:36:25.:36:28.

opportunity and take it quickly. Karen Bardsley didn't collect that,

:36:29.:36:32.

that second attempt, she was in there but that's what they need to

:36:33.:36:35.

do, they need to do it quickly. They've been taking too many touches

:36:36.:36:42.

up until that point. Two or three of them have frozen out there, really.

:36:43.:36:48.

Birmingham City players. Birmingham City about to make a substitution.

:36:49.:36:56.

Charlie Wellings come on for them. 19 this week. A tall striker, and

:36:57.:37:10.

England under 17. INAUDIBLE

:37:11.:37:52.

I'm impressed by their willingness to change a bit of their style is

:37:53.:37:53.

season. Steph Houghton was there, she'll

:37:54.:38:06.

keep it in. I can't remember Steph Houghton making a mistake. I don't

:38:07.:38:14.

think she has. She's just a player. Know exactly what you are going to

:38:15.:38:17.

get with her. Always does it very well.

:38:18.:38:25.

INAUDIBLE Here comes Wellings, a tall player.

:38:26.:38:43.

I'm quite surprised, Freda Ayisi always offers an option when they go

:38:44.:39:03.

forward. She hasn't really had the right ball to her. I think Wellings

:39:04.:39:09.

will come on and she'll work hard, again, she'll Harry the defence but

:39:10.:39:13.

they just need that final pass to just be better. Give them an

:39:14.:39:21.

opportunity. In them much programme today, Kerys Harrop had an article.

:39:22.:39:27.

She led us through the individual players in the squad, and she says

:39:28.:39:31.

of Charlie Wellings, she's probably Birmingham's best striker of the

:39:32.:39:35.

ball, a goal-scorer when she gets on the right position. We will wait and

:39:36.:39:42.

see, the youngster towards her position.

:39:43.:39:47.

Have they got enough time? 25 minutes to go.

:39:48.:40:15.

What about the formation? It's something Marc Skinner is working

:40:16.:40:21.

on, playing with the back three at the back and it's worked for her

:40:22.:40:24.

mental this point. Manchester City have had too much for them in this

:40:25.:40:30.

game. -- it has worked for them, until this point. Manchester City

:40:31.:40:33.

have had too much quality. Looking forward to the World Cup

:40:34.:40:45.

finals. Fancy that one? It would be quite

:40:46.:40:57.

nice. INAUDIBLE

:40:58.:41:02.

Steph Houghton. She'll still be there, I imagine, 30 or 31 by then.

:41:03.:41:15.

The year rose to come of course, this summer. -- the euros to come of

:41:16.:41:22.

course, this summer. Won by Wellings. Lucy Bronze got

:41:23.:41:30.

back to her. They beat Chelsea, so to win the

:41:31.:41:51.

2017 FA Cup final they'd have had to beat the three powerhouses, Chelsea,

:41:52.:41:58.

Manchester City, they have, short thus far in the final. -- they have

:41:59.:42:03.

come up short thus far in the final. More into the game now, Birmingham.

:42:04.:42:19.

You have to put that in the context of Manchester City taking their foot

:42:20.:42:20.

off the gas pedal. Birmingham have to go for it, don't

:42:21.:42:37.

they? It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you are 3-0 down.

:42:38.:42:45.

Just saying they build up again, he is pleased with their team, he's

:42:46.:42:48.

asked them to be braver in possession. It hasn't really come

:42:49.:42:53.

off today. The keeper saw it coming, rushed out and did well. Kept it at

:42:54.:42:58.

3-0. She read that situation really well. Got off her line quickly

:42:59.:43:03.

because Nikita Parris was just in there. Lloyd, taken down by Mannion.

:43:04.:43:11.

She is saying she was kicked on the ground.

:43:12.:43:18.

A New Jersey girl, Carli Lloyd. Played for the South Jersey

:43:19.:43:29.

Banshees, the New Jersey Wildcats in her time. Such a committed player.

:43:30.:43:35.

Clearly a foul. Carli Lloyd just touched the ball past her. I don't

:43:36.:43:40.

think there was any kick afterwards though. Steph Houghton, in the

:43:41.:43:45.

interview we played earlier, did you say to her she'd scored some free

:43:46.:43:51.

kicks in her time. She has. Was that an omen? May be. You know your game,

:43:52.:43:59.

don't you? How many times did you play for England? You can't say

:44:00.:44:06.

anything after those throw-in is! She can do that though. Help! Was a

:44:07.:44:14.

goal that was. Brilliant. That was two, Christiansen. Great delivery in

:44:15.:44:20.

43, Carli Lloyd. It was a blistering 14 minute first-half spell.

:44:21.:44:41.

A lovely ball in behind, Toni Duggan, the first touch was a little

:44:42.:44:47.

bit heavy and it allowed Berger to come and make the save. She's had a

:44:48.:44:51.

good gave. She's had a good game apart from the third goal. It's

:44:52.:44:56.

probably the only mistake she's made. Toni Duggan, the touch she

:44:57.:45:02.

made gave Berger up in June -- and opportunities come out and make the

:45:03.:45:07.

save. A great break again for Manchester City. Is going to be a

:45:08.:45:11.

change here for Manchester City, Nikita Parris going off. Georgia

:45:12.:45:21.

Stanway is coming on. She's an 18-year-old, just turned 18 at the

:45:22.:45:27.

start of the year. Wide forward, the right-hand side. In comes the corner

:45:28.:45:30.

kicking towards Houghton it goes wide.

:45:31.:45:37.

Another quality player with lots of potential. When you are tiring as a

:45:38.:45:46.

team and they're bringing on fresh legs, it can make things happen and

:45:47.:45:51.

score goals. It's the last thing you want to see. Look at the stats

:45:52.:45:59.

there. 12 goal attempts by Manchester City against three.

:46:00.:46:15.

Carli Lloyd wants it mrae in behind. Beautiful weight on the pass. Well,

:46:16.:46:23.

she acknowledges the precision of the pass played into her. It was a

:46:24.:46:29.

good set-up. Good play from Duggan and good movement again. They just

:46:30.:46:32.

know where each other are going to run. That makes such a difference.

:46:33.:46:38.

Birmingham at times have looked disjointed but Manchester City when

:46:39.:46:44.

they go forward are so fluid. Lucy Bronze has got away from her marker.

:46:45.:46:47.

It's beyond her, though. In came Houghton.

:46:48.:46:53.

Might have been a little push in there.

:46:54.:47:02.

I think Lucy Bronze made the initial run to the near post. It was

:47:03.:47:13.

Houghton they were aiming for. White has her arms around Steph. They're

:47:14.:47:18.

good mates so that's a battle with the two of them.

:47:19.:47:26.

Good football by Birmingham. A chance here now.

:47:27.:47:34.

Oh! They got a goal! She's come off the bench. The best

:47:35.:47:41.

striker of the ball. She gets a goal for Birmingham City. She's done well

:47:42.:47:49.

since she came on. Set the ball up for players. Run into channels they

:47:50.:47:54.

needed. Got forward. Good strike there with her left foot to beat

:47:55.:48:01.

Bardsley. Right into the corner. Could this give Birmingham City a

:48:02.:48:07.

lift? 64 minutes on the clock when she came on. Within nine minutes she

:48:08.:48:15.

scored for Birmingham City. She looked really lively, hasn't she?

:48:16.:48:22.

She has. Just been that more aggressive in the final third since

:48:23.:48:24.

she came on. Have broken the chance of a clean

:48:25.:48:41.

sheet. If they get another, with a little over quarter of an hour to

:48:42.:48:45.

go, it would make things very interesting.

:48:46.:48:57.

8th corner of the game for Manchester City. Scott goes near

:48:58.:49:17.

post. Christiansen will stand in with the goalkeeper. Runs from deep

:49:18.:49:21.

positions. It's a good claim by Berger.

:49:22.:49:27.

Looks for the quick release. Out it comes here now to Jess

:49:28.:49:31.

Carter. Another Birmingham... Oh the touch was horrible but she's gone

:49:32.:49:36.

for the challenge by Stokes. Having a real go now!

:49:37.:49:46.

Brazil. Should be Karen Bardsley. Got hit by

:49:47.:49:50.

Ellen White. England colleagues. She said she was going for the ball.

:49:51.:50:01.

You can see she has her eyes on the ball all the way through there.

:50:02.:50:04.

Definite foul. This was a well taken goal by

:50:05.:50:17.

Charlie Wellings. A confident strike. This is better from

:50:18.:50:22.

Birmingham. They've took until this point to really give it a good go

:50:23.:50:28.

and test the Manchester City back line. The Ellen White effort and one

:50:29.:50:49.

from Wellings. They've made a go of it. A little error there.

:50:50.:50:56.

Can they get it out wide? Stamped away by Bronze. Back to Hegerberg.

:50:57.:51:04.

Carter. Another good ball. She was trying to

:51:05.:51:11.

get it out to Williams. Manchester City have tired a little

:51:12.:51:16.

bit. Williams there. She came from an offside position.

:51:17.:51:26.

Another substitution here. It's going to be Abbie McManus, she

:51:27.:51:44.

will replace Campbell, I would think. Can't see them taking

:51:45.:51:46.

Houghton off. Up in the air. It's won in the air

:51:47.:51:53.

by Harrop. Here is Carter.

:51:54.:52:10.

Dispossessed by Christiansen. What a final she has had.

:52:11.:52:18.

Let's see who goes off. It is Megan Campbell.

:52:19.:52:26.

She was preferred at the start. We are not going to see... On comes

:52:27.:52:39.

McManus to replace her. I am pleased she has game time, McManus. She

:52:40.:52:43.

deserves it. Every time I watch her play she's consistent. Oh! The

:52:44.:52:49.

goalkeeper and... Manchester City player went for

:52:50.:52:57.

that. She's OK. You could see both of them

:52:58.:53:04.

going for the ball. That's a real collision. Both are OK.

:53:05.:53:15.

They're just about to announce the atakenedance at the stadium. Great

:53:16.:53:20.

reaction to it, as well. -- attendance.

:53:21.:53:30.

They're bigging themselves up, and why not?

:53:31.:53:36.

So good to see the attendances getting better each year and it

:53:37.:53:39.

shows how much the women's game is growing and developing and people

:53:40.:53:50.

now want to watch the game. Here is White having a go at it now,

:53:51.:53:51.

Birmingham City. Lloyd battling back.

:53:52.:54:07.

Now Christiansen. Out to Duggan. Duggan can switch it. She finds Jill

:54:08.:54:12.

Scott. Could get another one. Scott! It's a lovely goal. To wrap it up

:54:13.:54:16.

for Manchester City. One of the most popular girls in the game.

:54:17.:54:24.

Ten minutes to go. Jill Scott gets a goal in the FA Cup final. Set up by

:54:25.:54:31.

Toni Duggan. Finished brilliantly. Birmingham City 1, mark City 4. The

:54:32.:54:37.

result now is well beyond doubt. -- Manchester City. Manchester City

:54:38.:54:43.

league winners, continental winners and now FA Cup. It was good from

:54:44.:54:47.

Duggan initially to pick out Jill Scott. But that's a lovely finish.

:54:48.:54:51.

Quick feet initially. Then right into the top corner. Birmingham City

:54:52.:54:56.

were just getting themselves back into the game. That puts it totally

:54:57.:55:00.

beyond them now. That's the problem, when you commit

:55:01.:55:03.

players forward to get back into the game that can happen on a quick

:55:04.:55:07.

counterattack. A better cross in. White!

:55:08.:55:23.

Might have seen it a little late. Brazil was in front. She dummied it

:55:24.:55:26.

so it came through to White. Not sure how much she would have seen of

:55:27.:55:30.

the ball before it came to her foot. A good delivery. She's leaning back

:55:31.:55:36.

as she strikes the ball. It was always going to go over.

:55:37.:55:42.

Don't know if she slipped at the vital moment.

:55:43.:56:22.

Lucy Bronze. She will get a free kick. Rudimentary tackle from

:56:23.:56:40.

Harrop. A few bruises. Manchester City Chloe Peplow, off

:56:41.:57:23.

goes Andrine Hegerberg, not really been her game.

:57:24.:57:42.

The keeper sort of clawed. A corner kick is given.

:57:43.:57:49.

Good pressure in there by the captain.

:57:50.:58:01.

Limping a little bit. Duggan will take it again. There is

:58:02.:58:10.

a little signal. Carli Lloyd to make the run.

:58:11.:58:19.

Away by Carter. Six-and-a-half minutes to go.

:58:20.:58:23.

Good tackle that time by Harrop. It's been some year for them. Now a

:58:24.:59:05.

big step up, Champions League. Lyon stopped them, as I was saying

:59:06.:59:09.

earlier. They're in the competition again.

:59:10.:59:15.

Starting in October. Or the autumn anyway.

:59:16.:59:17.

Stokes to Lloyd. What do you think they will take

:59:18.:59:57.

away as a sweet memory from an otherwise sour afternoon for them,

:59:58.:00:01.

Birmingham City, Sue? It's probably just the experience of obviously

:00:02.:00:05.

playing at Wembley in front of a big crowd and I think the fact that

:00:06.:00:08.

they've really improved in this second half. Without a doubt, these

:00:09.:00:10.

players will have learned from that experience. They'll want to come

:00:11.:00:14.

here again and hopefully pick up that winning trophy, rather than the

:00:15.:00:23.

losing one, unfortunately. Mark Sampson was pointing out they're a

:00:24.:00:28.

young team. Lucy Bronze might have been fouled there by Parris.

:00:29.:00:37.

Marc Skinner has only just taken charge, so he's still in his

:00:38.:00:44.

philosophy on style -- he's instilling his loss Leanne style on

:00:45.:00:51.

the players, which can take a while. Much higher in the second half,

:00:52.:00:58.

Mayling, pushing Danny Stokes back. The quality and delivery from

:00:59.:01:03.

Manchester City in the first class, we haven't seen that in the second.

:01:04.:01:08.

-- in the first half, we haven't seen that in the second. Stabbed

:01:09.:01:19.

away. Mannion got it out. Sargeant, it was. They have bodies forward.

:01:20.:01:27.

Have they got enough legs? No, they haven't.

:01:28.:01:36.

Who would be your player of the match, Sue? For Manchester City,

:01:37.:01:42.

there have been a lot of players that have really stood out in this

:01:43.:01:47.

game. You look at both full-backs, midfield, obviously Carli Lloyd.

:01:48.:01:50.

I've gone with Keira Walsh and I think for me, she's just, she

:01:51.:01:56.

quietly goes about her business. She breaks the play very well, protects

:01:57.:02:00.

the back four and in possession, she's quality. I've gone with

:02:01.:02:03.

probably somebody that not everybody would pick, but I don't know what

:02:04.:02:08.

you think about that. I think it's a great choice. You and I agreeing,

:02:09.:02:13.

goodness me! I know! Make a note of it, everyone. It never happens, to

:02:14.:02:26.

be honest. Anyway, you say tomato, I say tomato. Use a lettuce leaves

:02:27.:02:30.

language, I say triple burger. Paige Williams goes off. On comes

:02:31.:02:33.

Abbey-Leigh Stringer. 21-year-old midfielder. She's made

:02:34.:02:45.

the route across from Aston Villa to Birmingham City. Came on in the

:02:46.:02:50.

semifinal with about a quarter of an hour to go. She's come through the

:02:51.:02:52.

Young England route. A couple of minutes to go. That was

:02:53.:03:04.

a bomb of a challenge. A tired tackle. There's been a yellow card.

:03:05.:03:15.

A bit of a shame, this late on in an FA Cup final. It was an almost

:03:16.:03:26.

exhausted psych into a challenge. You are right, she's worked so hard

:03:27.:03:30.

this game, Jess Carter. Another very good player. Lots and lots of

:03:31.:03:40.

potential. It is late. It wasn't an exhausted sag into a challenge, it

:03:41.:03:45.

was a terrible tackle. It was, when you see the replay. It was hefty,

:03:46.:03:52.

wasn't it? Still battling. It's a great attitude, when your team is

:03:53.:04:00.

behind in the Cup Final, to want it as much as she was.

:04:01.:04:08.

Stretched a little bit too much in there. This is a great run. For

:04:09.:04:22.

Manchester City. He is Carli Lloyd. Stanway wanted it back again, into

:04:23.:04:24.

Duggan. Flag up. Your Man of the Match Joyce got a

:04:25.:04:55.

great ovation in the stadium. They must have agreed with us. Three

:04:56.:05:05.

minutes of stoppage time to play at the end of the 2017 final. Having a

:05:06.:05:08.

bit of a slip. There will be a few tears a bit

:05:09.:05:36.

later on, I would think. Definitely. They follow Alan every game, home

:05:37.:05:43.

and away. Lloyd here has got it beyond Mannion. It is Duggan. The

:05:44.:05:51.

referee has blown, I think. Well, it's a yellow card to bring out a

:05:52.:05:56.

card for that of friends there, it could have been worse. Was there

:05:57.:06:02.

cover in the middle? I'd like to see it again. You could see that Carli

:06:03.:06:06.

Lloyd was waiting towards goal. You can see here, she just catches

:06:07.:06:10.

Mannion, breaking towards goal. There was just cover, but was fouled

:06:11.:06:17.

just outside the area? Yes, it was. And there was cover. Right decision

:06:18.:06:23.

from the referee. She's had a good game, hasn't she? She has, very

:06:24.:06:29.

good. Weldon Rebecca Welch. And the assistant referees, also the fourth

:06:30.:06:37.

official. -- well done, Rebecca Welch. Solid goalkeeping, good

:06:38.:06:50.

technique. But in behind it. -- got in behind it.

:06:51.:06:54.

Mayling still working hard, but she's given that away. It looked

:06:55.:07:30.

like a tired prod of the pass. Stokes into Lloyd, she's done really

:07:31.:07:35.

well there. Stanway. Chased and chased well by Harrop, but she still

:07:36.:07:40.

gets the shot off. A lovely bit of setup play by Carli Lloyd.

:07:41.:07:44.

Outstanding bit of play. She could see Georgia Stanway and it was just

:07:45.:07:49.

a lovely ball, right into her path. I actually think Georgia Stanway

:07:50.:07:52.

could have played the ball back to Carli Lloyd. She made a run just

:07:53.:07:57.

round the outside. Manchester City having won the league, having won

:07:58.:08:03.

the Continental Cup, have won the 20 17th FA Cup. Manchester City on the

:08:04.:08:10.

day were simply too good. Lucy Bronze put them ahead after 18

:08:11.:08:15.

minutes with a header, setting up Christiansen for brilliant second,

:08:16.:08:20.

seven minutes later, and Carli Lloyd rose at the far post, three up on 32

:08:21.:08:24.

minutes. They were not going to be beaten. Substitute Wellings pulled

:08:25.:08:29.

one back. Ellen White worked her socks off. We have the world's best

:08:30.:08:36.

player on your team, when you have seven of England's European

:08:37.:08:39.

champions in your team, it's always going to be difficult for the rivals

:08:40.:08:45.

and Birmingham City found it too difficult on the day. Manchester

:08:46.:08:50.

City are worthy winners. Yes, the best team won. Manchester City were

:08:51.:08:53.

solid in defence. When they went forward they were dangerous. They

:08:54.:08:58.

were clinical in front of goal. Birmingham City got themselves back

:08:59.:09:01.

into the game slightly in the second half, but the strongest team won in

:09:02.:09:05.

this game. Birmingham have done excellent to get here, but just

:09:06.:09:08.

couldn't cope with Manchester City's quality on the day. They are growing

:09:09.:09:16.

force in European football they've won the FA Cup. This is the one they

:09:17.:09:19.

lacked, this is the one they wanted, this is the one they have got.

:09:20.:09:25.

Scenes of celebration, for the England squat Watt squad players.

:09:26.:09:31.

What do you think Ellen White will make of the afternoon? You know her

:09:32.:09:36.

so well. She worked so hard. She was constantly trying to get her team

:09:37.:09:39.

back into the game. It's a difficult one to take. She will learn from

:09:40.:09:43.

this and she'll come back and I think she knows that Birmingham City

:09:44.:09:46.

are team that is developing and improving all the time, but she will

:09:47.:09:49.

be disappointed, she will be absolutely gutted. A terrific goal

:09:50.:09:54.

by Christiansen, wasn't it? Outstanding. She can make those late

:09:55.:10:01.

runs into the box and it's having the quality to be able to finish

:10:02.:10:03.

that off and that that's exactly what she did. Third FA Cup win in

:10:04.:10:07.

the career of Steph Houghton, and embrace for the coach, Nick Cushing.

:10:08.:10:12.

He has a team here now that over the next two years can go on and press

:10:13.:10:17.

the likes of Lyon and the teams who have dominated European football in

:10:18.:10:21.

the women's game over the last few years. Carli Lloyd, outstanding, at

:10:22.:10:27.

moments, a player of her quality to be in English football is a terrific

:10:28.:10:32.

thing. What a terrific performance by Keira Walsh today, Sue's player

:10:33.:10:35.

of the match. She's with Eilidh Barbour.

:10:36.:10:39.

You've added the FA Cup to your list of trophies at this club. How

:10:40.:10:44.

special does this one feel? It feels unbelievable. It's what is

:10:45.:10:47.

considered the biggest trophy in England and it's the only one we've

:10:48.:10:51.

not won so far. It's a great feeling to take the trophy back to

:10:52.:10:55.

Manchester. It was the perfect first half, you didn't seem fazed as a

:10:56.:10:58.

team by the occasion. Were you able to take any of it in at all? I think

:10:59.:11:07.

the three goals came quite fast, so other team we were pleased to get

:11:08.:11:10.

the three goals. Get the game sorted and it was a good feeling for us.

:11:11.:11:13.

The captain Steph joins us. You were favourites, there was an expectation

:11:14.:11:16.

upon your shoulders to win today. How proud I use that you've been

:11:17.:11:20.

able to do it? Obviously being favourites puts you under a bit of

:11:21.:11:24.

pressure but this is what the team is about, big players who play on

:11:25.:11:27.

big occasions and it was showing the first half performance. We were

:11:28.:11:33.

unbelievable. Credit to this girl, she is young and she makes our team

:11:34.:11:40.

tick. You hold all three domestic trophies at Manchester City. It's

:11:41.:11:42.

been a dominant display domestically. How much further does

:11:43.:11:47.

this team go? Why do you build towards? We have to make sure we

:11:48.:11:52.

retain these titles and we have to take the Champions League and we

:11:53.:11:55.

have had a taste of the semifinals, but we want to keep going until we

:11:56.:12:00.

win it. Weldon today, Akira, you are the player of the match and we ask

:12:01.:12:06.

Junior and Elliott to present the SSE player of the match.

:12:07.:12:10.

STUDIO: Manchester City absolutely living up

:12:11.:12:14.

to their invincible title they earned last season in the league.

:12:15.:12:18.

They were unbeaten. Why are they so good? They've just got depth across

:12:19.:12:22.

the whole squad. You look at the players they've brought on, Toni

:12:23.:12:27.

Duggan, Georgia Stanway, both England internationals, and they've

:12:28.:12:29.

got world-class players in their starting XI. I think that's really

:12:30.:12:34.

that's the crux of it. They've only been around in the WSL as a team

:12:35.:12:41.

since 2014, and they've achieved so much, the domestic trouble. Alex,

:12:42.:12:45.

your thoughts? It's not just one player, if Lucy Bronze is not

:12:46.:12:49.

scoring you have Carli Lloyd, you have Jill, who had a quiet game

:12:50.:12:52.

today, popping up with a fantastic goal. There are so many elements to

:12:53.:12:59.

the Man City team that they continued to grow. Eilidh Barbour is

:13:00.:13:02.

with the manager, Nick Cushing. It was the piece of the jigsaw that

:13:03.:13:07.

was missing. You are FA Cup winners, it sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

:13:08.:13:10.

It was the game after winning the double, the aim was the FA Cup. You

:13:11.:13:14.

know what, we've been good in every round but I thought today we were

:13:15.:13:17.

exceptional. With the schedule we've had and the games and travel we've

:13:18.:13:22.

had, to come and win 4-1 is exceptional. It's the first FA Cup

:13:23.:13:26.

final for the club and a first visit to Wembley, but they didn't seem

:13:27.:13:36.

phased by the occasion. How much mental preparation did you have to

:13:37.:13:39.

do today? I didn't have to do a lot. We challenge the players every day

:13:40.:13:41.

in training. We try to create something harder than the games in

:13:42.:13:43.

Manchester. I trust the players. They are big game players. They

:13:44.:13:47.

showed that last year, going undefeated. Today, they had to find

:13:48.:13:51.

their experiences of big games and they've done it, and exceptional

:13:52.:13:54.

performance. There's an expectation, it can be difficult to play to your

:13:55.:13:58.

potential. What does it say about these goals they were able to go out

:13:59.:14:02.

and do what they can do? I think the expectation that they put themselves

:14:03.:14:09.

is greater than any expectation from the outside. I got a big expectation

:14:10.:14:12.

on them every day to be the best they can be and if you are the best

:14:13.:14:16.

version of yourself and your team is improving, you win trophies. The

:14:17.:14:18.

first trophy we won after winning the double would be the most

:14:19.:14:22.

satisfying because it reinforces you are the dominant team in England.

:14:23.:14:26.

How important is that for you? Continuing to develop Manchester

:14:27.:14:30.

City. You've developed a hugely talented squad, bringing in players

:14:31.:14:35.

like Carles Gil -- Charlie Wyke. How important is it to continue the

:14:36.:14:41.

journey? We had Georgia Stanway on the pitch, McManus came on, it's not

:14:42.:14:47.

just the Carli Lloyd and Steph Houghton that contribute, it's the

:14:48.:14:50.

young players who we work hard every day and Keira Walsh's performance as

:14:51.:14:54.

a 19-year-old player who has never played international football on a

:14:55.:14:59.

senior stage was exceptional today. Weldon, Nick, go and enjoy it. Thank

:15:00.:15:02.

you. STUDIO:

:15:03.:15:06.

Very well deserved. Manchester City have had a tough schedule, playing

:15:07.:15:11.

in Europe, the Champions League semifinal against Lyon and the

:15:12.:15:14.

Spring Series and they've managed to do this.

:15:15.:15:18.

They were good today, strong, never in doubt they weren't going to win

:15:19.:15:23.

the game. What he has done a great job with, yes, they have excellent

:15:24.:15:29.

players but they work hard, well organised defensively and have a

:15:30.:15:32.

set-piece. All the qualities top teams have. Congratulations to Nick,

:15:33.:15:36.

as well. He has done a good job with the team. They've grown the team

:15:37.:15:40.

carefully and slowly and methodically and now they're a well

:15:41.:15:43.

oiled machine. He managed to sign the world's best player. Carli Lloyd

:15:44.:15:49.

is pitchside. You came here to win a trophy, to play well and you have

:15:50.:15:52.

certainly done that today. Well done. Yeah, it was a fantastic team

:15:53.:15:56.

performance. You know, this group's been trying to get this trophy for

:15:57.:16:01.

quite sometime. I just have kind of come in in the last month or so and

:16:02.:16:06.

helped push that along. Total team effort. Players on the pitch,

:16:07.:16:10.

players off the pitch. Fantastic, feels good to come back to Wembley

:16:11.:16:15.

and win again. And special Wembley memories, this has been a good place

:16:16.:16:20.

for you. Very good, hopefully I am back at some point again. Tremendous

:16:21.:16:25.

stadium. Pitch is fantastic. You know, a quality win to get that

:16:26.:16:29.

today. Like you say, this team has been building for a number of years

:16:30.:16:32.

before you have come in. What has most impressed you about the squad

:16:33.:16:36.

and the group of players, about the set-up here as you have built

:16:37.:16:39.

towards this Cup win? I think character. You know, we tied

:16:40.:16:44.

Birmingham recently in the spring series and to come out, fight,

:16:45.:16:48.

hungry, shows the character. We have had a tough battle against Lyon in

:16:49.:16:52.

the Champions League but we fought to get the second leg out in front

:16:53.:16:57.

of us. It's a great group of girls. I really enjoyed being here, the

:16:58.:17:00.

organisation is fantastic. They've got all the support they need. I

:17:01.:17:04.

have enjoyed my time here. I will let you enjoy lifting the trophy.

:17:05.:17:10.

Well done. Thank you. STUDIO: I am sure she will enjoy

:17:11.:17:13.

those celebrations very much indeed. Rachel, what could Birmingham have

:17:14.:17:17.

done differently? I don't know. I like to say what Nick said about

:17:18.:17:19.

each individual maximising their potential, being the best version of

:17:20.:17:23.

themselves. I don't think Birmingham could have done much more

:17:24.:17:26.

individually. As a team, they needed to play the game further up the

:17:27.:17:30.

pitch. They put themselves under pressure early on by playing out the

:17:31.:17:34.

back, that's their style, that's how they like to build up their play.

:17:35.:17:38.

But you put them under pressure and from that point it gave confidence

:17:39.:17:42.

to Manchester City to push further forward, keep their back line up and

:17:43.:17:46.

from that point Birmingham, certainly in the first hour of the

:17:47.:17:50.

game really, just couldn't get out of their half and Manchester City

:17:51.:17:53.

were pretty much pinning them back. We saw some bright sparks, some

:17:54.:17:57.

energy from Birmingham City in the second half after they got that

:17:58.:18:01.

consolation goal. We did, when they got the goal we were jumping for joy

:18:02.:18:04.

in the studio and thought they would push on from that. Look, they're a

:18:05.:18:08.

young team. They're not used to playing an occasion like this, they

:18:09.:18:11.

need to remember this feeling, it will hurt now. But let this be a

:18:12.:18:16.

driving factor, feel it and have hunger to get back here next year.

:18:17.:18:19.

We shouldn't forget Birmingham City have won the FA Cup final before.

:18:20.:18:23.

Absolutely. You have to give credit to Mark and the team. We talk about

:18:24.:18:28.

the run to get here, beat the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea. They earned

:18:29.:18:31.

a right to be here. They'll learn lessons. These big games, small

:18:32.:18:36.

details make a difference. City got the details right. Executed

:18:37.:18:41.

brilliant set-pieces, perfect pressing strategy and made it

:18:42.:18:44.

difficult for Birmingham for the majority of the game. They said they

:18:45.:18:47.

weren't going to show fear, they were coming out to win it. How do

:18:48.:18:51.

they pick themselves up now going forward? Yeah, it's tough. I have

:18:52.:18:55.

been there twice in terms of losing FA Cup finals. It's hard. There are

:18:56.:18:59.

some games to play and the great thing with football is there always

:19:00.:19:02.

is the next game. I am sure they'll put this behind them. Like Alex

:19:03.:19:05.

said, remember it and focus on the next one. Let's hand back to our

:19:06.:19:11.

commentary team, Jonathan Pearce and Sue for the trophy presentation.

:19:12.:19:19.

Thank you very much. The fact that Hegerberg and White both looked so

:19:20.:19:24.

desperately disappointed, is a good sign for Birmingham City, that shows

:19:25.:19:27.

they will be hungry for more. This is a group in development. And a

:19:28.:19:32.

club very much on the progressive route, getting good players in and

:19:33.:19:37.

as long as they get the backing of the club they'll come again. Here

:19:38.:19:42.

comes the trophy. The FA Cup.

:19:43.:19:49.

Up will come Manchester City, winner of today's final.

:19:50.:20:01.

?240,000 will be distributed throughout this Sean's competition.

:20:02.:20:07.

70,000 up from last season, which is good. That will out to clubs around

:20:08.:20:11.

the country. -- this season's competition.

:20:12.:20:15.

The honour party prepare to give out the trophy.

:20:16.:20:22.

And up they come. A terrific afternoon for Manchester

:20:23.:20:30.

City. Lawley on the winning side against

:20:31.:20:35.

her former club. She played very well. Picked up an

:20:36.:20:40.

injury late on. Karen Bardsley behind her.

:20:41.:20:46.

They'll go on to complete the spring series with Manchester City. Had a

:20:47.:20:54.

dramatic start and will be expected to win that. The other players will

:20:55.:21:02.

go out with England to Holland in the European Championships.

:21:03.:21:07.

Biggest crowd ever for a women's FA Cup final. 35271.

:21:08.:21:14.

Sunshine, good goals, and entertaining FA Cup final.

:21:15.:21:21.

This is a curious route up towards the honour party. Since the stadium

:21:22.:21:27.

was revamped and rebuilt. Lucy Bronze in there. Scored the

:21:28.:21:39.

first goal of the game. There is the coach. Completed the

:21:40.:21:48.

treble. Done everything he could. Now Nick Cushing. Made it back in

:21:49.:21:55.

time for the birth of his third child after they won the

:21:56.:22:02.

continental. There he is.

:22:03.:22:09.

Along the line they go. There is the trophy. That's the one they want.

:22:10.:22:20.

Jennifer Beattie, Scottish international, didn't get on, 26

:22:21.:22:26.

years of age today. Georgia Stanway who got on late on.

:22:27.:22:34.

Karen Bardsley. There is a good young player, as well, the Dutch

:22:35.:22:40.

youngster, Tessel Middag in the squad. Substitute goalkeeper, as

:22:41.:22:46.

well, Hourihan. Painful moment this for White. Twice on the winning side

:22:47.:22:51.

in a Cup final, twice on the losing side. Duggan, smiles for her at the

:22:52.:22:58.

end. She looked pretty disconsolate yesterday when she found out she

:22:59.:23:03.

wasn't starting. She played well when she came on. Jill Scott at the

:23:04.:23:06.

end completed the scoring. Carli Lloyd. Well, she has had her hands

:23:07.:23:14.

on the World Cup and the Olympic gold. Now the FA Cup in England.

:23:15.:23:20.

Steph Houghton reaches out the hands. You don't want to let the lid

:23:21.:23:22.

drop off. Up it goes!

:23:23.:23:34.

The 2017 SSE Women's FA Cup. The ticker tape sprinkles down. Golden

:23:35.:23:41.

and shimmering. The celebrations and this Manchester City side. The

:23:42.:23:45.

golden girls of English football. They've completed the domestic

:23:46.:23:48.

treble inside 12 months. A wonderful achievement. A wonderful

:23:49.:23:52.

performance. Beating Birmingham City on the day by 4-1.

:23:53.:23:59.

STUDIO: You can see how much it means to all the players. I expect

:24:00.:24:03.

celebrations will continue well into tomorrow. Alex, you were here this

:24:04.:24:06.

time last year. I remember watching, it looked like it was the happiest

:24:07.:24:10.

day of your life. I am getting emotional now watching them, it's

:24:11.:24:12.

bringing back memories. It really is. As a kid, you dream of playing

:24:13.:24:17.

at Wembley. To walk the Wembley stairs and lift a trophy, those

:24:18.:24:21.

players will remember this for the rest of their lives. Yeah, wish I

:24:22.:24:25.

could say the same. You played... No, I am not taking anything away, I

:24:26.:24:29.

have won the FA Cup and it was fantastic with Everton in 2010. It

:24:30.:24:36.

wasn't a Wembley, that's the brilliant thing of the progression

:24:37.:24:40.

of women's football. It's been at Wembley, where it should be. Whether

:24:41.:24:44.

you are male or female you want to play at Wembley, it's the iconic

:24:45.:24:47.

place for this country. The opportunity for these girls to do

:24:48.:24:50.

that and to celebrate, it really will last long in their memories.

:24:51.:24:56.

More than 35,000 people here inside Wembley Stadium. Record crowds. What

:24:57.:25:00.

does that mean for the story of women's football in this country?

:25:01.:25:02.

It's fantastic. You have to pay credit to all the guys behind the

:25:03.:25:05.

scenes who work so hard to get people to come. Our fans who turned

:25:06.:25:11.

out, but I was chatting to Alex earlier, that final with Doncaster,

:25:12.:25:14.

there was less than 5,000 there, that was four years ago. So we are

:25:15.:25:16.

making great progress and every year it gets better. Looking at a picture

:25:17.:25:23.

of Toni Duggan looking very happy. Can't imagine she will have been

:25:24.:25:26.

happy she didn't start. That's the life of a football, you have to deal

:25:27.:25:29.

with those situations. Some players show it more than other players. As

:25:30.:25:33.

an experienced player you learn to deal with how to manage your face as

:25:34.:25:37.

it were, have a professional outlook so you can only impact positively on

:25:38.:25:43.

the team. It's a competition for places, you are playing in the

:25:44.:25:47.

biggest day of your footballing career. Suddenly you are not

:25:48.:25:50.

starting, that's going to hurt for any player. She's come on the pitch

:25:51.:25:53.

and did a great job when she was on the pitch and that's all you can

:25:54.:25:57.

ask. We need to talk about Lucy Bronze who was on fire. Someone says

:25:58.:26:04.

if Lucy Bronze wins a medal will she become Lucy Gold? No, but we can

:26:05.:26:08.

show you the opening goal. I like that. Lucy was massively influential

:26:09.:26:13.

in the whole game. As we come to know her as a recognisable sort of

:26:14.:26:18.

defensive, attacking defender, she was phenomenal today. Her goal is

:26:19.:26:21.

nothing more than we expect. I spoke to Lucy before the game, because we

:26:22.:26:26.

only had Kelly Smith ever on the shortlist for Fifa World Player of

:26:27.:26:30.

the Year, I said to her this is your stage and you are the next player

:26:31.:26:33.

who I believe can get on that list and have that recognition as an

:26:34.:26:36.

England player. OK. We can look at these goals.

:26:37.:26:40.

Yeah, we talked about it at half-time. The Birmingham defending

:26:41.:26:47.

line should be higher. Gives more space for Berger to collect this.

:26:48.:26:52.

Doesn't. It's a great run from Lucy Bronze. Her whole all-round play,

:26:53.:26:59.

she creates the second goal by picking up possession and turning it

:27:00.:27:01.

over. Birmingham weren't very clever in giving them back possession in

:27:02.:27:05.

their own half. Mark, you were saying they don't get enough credit

:27:06.:27:09.

for set-pieces, that's what they really excel at and probably won the

:27:10.:27:13.

game on. It's a big part of the big games. If you look back at all the

:27:14.:27:17.

games and the World Cup 2015, America scored the first two from

:27:18.:27:22.

set-pieces. They blew Japan away. It was the corners. Manchester City so

:27:23.:27:25.

efficient and clever, have big players on the pitch. Good delivery.

:27:26.:27:29.

In big games you need those details to go right for you. Jill Scott will

:27:30.:27:34.

be pleased she managed to get on the score sheet. We were talking that

:27:35.:27:37.

Jill was having a quiet game. She was going about her job but a quiet

:27:38.:27:42.

game normally for Jill. To get a goal like that and an exquisite

:27:43.:27:45.

finish, she will be delighted. Birmingham got their consolation, of

:27:46.:27:49.

course. Yeah, what a strike that was for Charlie Wellings off the bench

:27:50.:27:53.

as a youngster, coming and playing at Wembley. That must be a strike

:27:54.:28:00.

she can only have dreamt of. Her left foot, non-dominant foot. And

:28:01.:28:02.

beat Bardsley who was a by-stander for much of the game. Moving

:28:03.:28:05.

forward, what do you think Birmingham will take from this? They

:28:06.:28:09.

need to remember it will hurt now, but remember the journey they've

:28:10.:28:12.

been on to get here, knocking Arsenal out, my team, knocking

:28:13.:28:15.

Chelsea out, they deserve to be here today. Remember this feeling but

:28:16.:28:19.

want to be back here next year. Mark? A lot of lessons frshgs a

:28:20.:28:23.

football point of view you learn the big games that you have to play

:28:24.:28:26.

what's in front of you, they got caught with that. They stuck to the

:28:27.:28:30.

plan, which is honest. But it's the wrong plan. The ability to adapt to

:28:31.:28:34.

what's in front of you is a big lesson to learn. It's the same for

:28:35.:28:39.

the manager, it was his first time, FA Cup final. It's phenomenal for

:28:40.:28:43.

them. Incredible achievement for Manchester City. Congratulations.

:28:44.:28:48.

Thank you to Alex and Mark. Good luck atUre 2017 and of course,

:28:49.:28:52.

Rachel, who you will hear on the radio throughout. Manchester City

:28:53.:28:57.

women hold the WSL title, the continental Cup and the FA Cup. It's

:28:58.:29:00.

a tremendous treble. Thank you for watching. Goodbye.

:29:01.:29:04.

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