May 7, 2001

Arsenal win FA Womens Cup Final for 5th time at Crystal Palace FC

Arsenal 1 Fulham 0

Attendance 13,824

Scorer: Angela Banks (52 min)

Arsenal
Emma Byrne (GK)
Kirsty Pealling
Casey Stoney
Jane Ludlow
Carol Harwood
Faye White
Sian Williams (Capt)
Angela Banks
Marianne Spacey
Ciara Grant
Clare Wheatley
subs:Ellen Maggs (84 min)

Fulham
Jody Bowry(GK)
Ronnie Gibbons
Katrin Peterson (Capt)
Mary Philip
Katie Chapman
Kim Jerray-Silver
Sanchia Duncan
Rachel McArthur
Margunn Haugenes
Marianne Pettersen
Rachel Yankey
subs:
Lynn Mork (77 min)
Deena Rahmann (83 min)

Game commentary
by Colin A. Aldis

This season, the final of the FA Cup (now in its 30th year) was between Arsenal, one of the established top clubs in England, and Fulham the only club to have professional players. The match was played at Selhurst Park in South London, on a warm and often sunny Bank Holiday Monday, 7th May 2001, and shown live on Sky Sports TV.

With Arsenal leading the FA Premier League, and already holding the FA Premier League Cup, and not losing a game all season, they would be confident of trying to win the unique English treble. The club have lifted the trophy four times in the last 9 years, while this was the first attempt by Fulham (who have recently gained promotion to the FA Pemier League, Southern Division).

In a closely contested first half, Fulham almost scored with a low shot by Katie Chapman but Clare Wheatley cleared off the line. At the other end Arsenal hit the bar, when an attempted clearance hit Clare Wheatley. Just before the break, Sanchia Duncan tapped the ball home, but was given offside, after a Margunn Haugenes shot had been pushed onto the post by Emma Byne.

The 2nd half started in dramatic fashion, with Fulham being awarded a penalty, after Carol Harwood tripped Marianne Pettersen, but from the spot kick by Margunn Haugenes, Emma Byrne dived brilliantly to her right to push the ball away. This spurred Arsenal into action, and soon after Marieanne Spacey moved in from the left to hit one of her specials. The ball rebounded off the bar, and after a header upwards, hot shot Angela Banks slotted the ball into the right corner forthe only goal of the game. Both sides tried to add to the scoring, but there were few clear cut chances created.