Sunderland Ladies 2 Manchester City Ladies 4 (AET)


SUNDERLAND LADIES suffered some last-minute heartbreak as they lost to reigning WSL champions Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Women’s FA Cup.

The Black Cats were leading 2-1 as their last-eight tie headed into stoppage-time, but a dramatic late equaliser from Jane Ross forced the game into extra-time.

City scored twice in the extra period to claim a 4-2 win, but Sunderland can be proud of their efforts against opponents who are on the verge of qualifying for the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Sunderland goalkeeper Anke Preuss made a couple of good first-half saves to keep the scoreboard blank as City started brightly, with Izzy Christiansen also threatening for the visitors with a shot that whistled just wide.

The Black Cats are 14 points behind Manchester City in the current WSL 1 table, but they sprang a surprise as they claimed the lead in the 33rd minute.

Hayley Sharp flicked on Lucy Staniforth’s free-kick, and Victoria Williams was on hand to stab the ball into the net.

Claire Emslie came close to equalising on the stroke of half-time, only for her long-range effort to come rebounding off the crossbar, but City finally levelled with 16 minutes left as Nadia Nadim kept the ball alive close to the byline, enabling former Sunderland defender Demi Stokes to head home.

City would have fancied their chances at that stage, but just two minutes after equalising, the visitors found themselves behind again.

Staniforth’s long-range strike flew into the top right-hand corner to restore Sunderland’s lead, and leave the Black Cats 14 minutes away from a semi-final spot.

They almost made it, but while Preuss saved Ross’ initial effort in stoppage time, she was unable to stop the City player prodding home the rebound.

That forced extra-time, and it took just seven minutes for Ross to claim her second goal of the game and fire City into the lead for the first time.

Nikita Parris fired against the post as the visitors began to dominate, and Sunderland’s fate was sealed when Ella Toone fired home from inside the area with six minutes left.