Semi-Finals Recap: Reading 1-1 West Ham United (WHU 4-3 pens) and Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea

West Ham United reached a first FA Women’s Cup final in a nervy shootout at Adams Park, Cho So-hyun striking the winner after both sides had missed two spot-kicks. Rachel Furness had headed Reading in front before Alisha Lehmann levelled quickly. Matt Beard called it a real battle and admitted his side rode their luck when Fara Williams missed a penalty; Kelly Chambers, whose team had dominated for 120 minutes, said it was a hard pill to swallow. At the Academy Stadium the holders went out when Magdalena Eriksson, outstanding all season, inexplicably turned Demi Stokes’s tame cross into her own net in stoppage time. Emma Hayes said her team never got out of second gear; Nick Cushing praised Steph Houghton and Jennifer Beattie for soaking up pressure.