Blues Ladies will face Arsenal in the final of the Continental Cup thanks to a late Jodie Taylor strike at the DCS Stadium.
Taylor’s dramatic winner in the 89th minute sparked wild scenes at the DCS Stadium as extra-time loomed.
However, it was Everton who took the lead early on through a sensational Fara Williams strike, but the FA Women’s Super League top goalscorer Rachel Williams levelled for Blues in the second half.
But at the start of the semi-final clash – as Birmingham were settling into the tie – Everton struck the first blow on eight minutes. A loose ball fell to Williams’ feet and the England international scored an absolute screamer, which flew past Blues ‘keeper Marie Hourihan from 35 yards. David Parker would have been happy with the way his side responded to that early set-back and they created their first chance after 17 minutes. Karen Carney dug out a neat cross from the edge of the area for Sally Stanton, and the centre back was unfortunate to see her header rise over the bar. This encouraged Williams and Jo Potter to try their luck shortly afterwards but the strikes found Rachel Brown in the Everton goal.
The Toffees seemed content exchanging possession with Birmingham and protecting their slender advantage, but they were willing to push for a second on occasions. Natasha Dowie should have indeed doubled her team’s advantage after Hourihan spilt a high ball sent into the box but fortunately for Blues Dowie fired well over from six yards.
Williams went rather closer with Everton’s next chance but her free-kick from the edge of the box missed Hourihan’s left post by a whisker.
Birmingham enjoyed large spells of possession leading up to the interval, as they posed questions at the visitors’ defence in the final third, without creating any real chances.
The second period got off to a quite start – with chances at a premium – but the game suddenly sparked into life when Birmingham were harshly denied an equaliser. Carney smashed home from a yard out after an almighty goalmouth scramble, but the referee ruled the strike out much to the bemusement of the home crowd. But a minute later Blues scored a deserved equaliser. The prolific Williams found space 12 yards out and she showed her usual predatory instinct by slotting past Brown.
Buoyed by an excellent couple of minutes, the hosts almost took the lead when Taylor was played through by Williams, but the striker saw her shot creep wide of the post. The game tightened up after dramatic few minutes but there was a heart in mouth moment for the home supporters when Dowie cut inside the box on 79 minutes. The forward was only ten yards out and looked certain to score but thankfully she fired miles over.
There was another nervy moment for the Stratford crowd as a stray Jade Moore pass was pounced on by Everton’s Duggan, but her shot went wide. Nerves turned into elation as Birmingham dramatically won the tie at the death. Williams played in her strike partner Taylor and the youngster superbly side-footed past Brown after a brilliant run.
Blues: Hourihan, Weston (Susi 53), Harrop, Stanton (Christiansen 89), Bassett (C), Carney, Williams, Potter, Moore, Taylor, Westwood.
Unused subs: Wright, Ballard, Hall.
Everton: Brown, Easton (Chaplen 74), Unitt, Williams, Whelan, Johnson, Handley (C), Scott, Dowie, Hinnigan, Duggan.
Unused subs: Hill, Harries, Kane, Bronze (injured in warm up).
Goals: F Williams (8), R Williams (62), Taylor (89).
Player of the match: Laura Bassett
Referee: S.Massey
Attendance: 212
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