Why Brighton’s first Women’s FA Cup final felt like it was coming

May 10, 2026 No Comments

Why Brighton’s first Women’s FA Cup final felt like it was comingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Brighton beat Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Arsenal before the semi-final win against LiverpoolByEmily SalleyBBC Sport journalistPublished3 minutes agoOne victory. That’s what stands between Brighton and a first major trophy for the club.The men’s team have won lower-league titles, are an established Premier League side and famously reached the 1983 FA Cup final while the Seagulls are often in the middle of the Women’s Super League table.But the club’s trophy cabinet is yet to feature a major trophy.That could change, however, after Brighton completed a stunning 3-2 comeback against Liverpool to reach their first Women’s FA Cup final.

With the game heading for extra time, substitute Nadine Noordam produced a composed finish in the 95th minute.

“I still can’t believe it. It feels like a dream,” Noordam told BBC Radio 5 Live. “We go to Wembley. If I say it out loud, it sounds a bit crazy.”

Noordam’s late winner secured Brighton’s place in the Wembley showpiece on 31 May, where they will face either Chelsea or Manchester City.

It is another significant milestone for a club that seems to be flourishing on all fronts this season.

Brighton reach Women’s FA Cup final as Liverpool falter

‘The goal was bound to come’ – Brighton keep believing

On a six-game unbeaten run and nine points further up the table than their opponents, Brighton arrived at Liverpool’s St Helens stadium as favourites – but their Wembley dream was in serious jeopardy when they fell 2-0 down after 22 minutes.

Manuela Vanegas gave Brighton hope when she halved the deficit with a determined finish 105 seconds after Beata Olsson had scored the Reds’ second.

The Seagulls looked revitalised after the break and they were rewarded when Madison Haley nodded in the leveller.

“They found it difficult in the first half but they stuck to the task with intensity and energy,” former England defender Anita Asante reported on TNT Sports.

Manager Dario Vidosic reported he “felt like it was coming” when Brighton were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the hosts’ box in the final seconds.

“I didn’t even think about extra time, even though it was so close to it. It just felt like the momentum, how dominant we were, that the goal was bound to come,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Noordam, who had never previously scored for Brighton, had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes when the set-piece clearance rolled to her and she calmly slotted the ball into the top-left corner.

“What a moment from Nadine Noordam,” reported ex-England midfielder Fara Williams on TNT Sports.

“Brighton had a really slow start but they managed to claw their way back. It’s a credit to them. They really believe in what they’re doing.

“That’s what this competition is all about. That’s the history of this competition. Those last-minute moments that get to Wembley.”

Graphic of Brighton results in FA Cup run to final with image of Nadine Noordam

From hunters to ‘hunted’ – Seagulls in fine form

The comeback against Liverpool is the newest game that Brighton can take belief from.

After a brief blip at the start of 2026 that coincided with the death of Vidosic’s father Rado – Brighton’s women’s and girls’ head of coaching – the Seagulls have hit a rich vein of form.

They followed up their FA Cup quarter-final victory over Arsenal with a league win against Manchester City, who have since been crowned champions, and held Manchester United and the Gunners to draws.

After hunting down some of the WSL’s top teams, Vidosic reported his side “might become hunted” as a result of their seven-game unbeaten run.

If they beat Tottenham on the final day, Albion could finish the season with 29 points in the WSL – their highest tally,

“They have had fantastic games against top teams this season. It will be very difficult, we saw what it was like in opening 10 minutes here against Liverpool,” Williams added.

“The pressure will be heightened even more against City or Chelsea.”

Brighton's new stadium design — Image caption,

Brighton plan to build the new stadium at Bennett’s Field (left), next to Amex Stadium

Brighton’s recent success on the pitch is reflected by decisions off it.

In 2021, the women’s team moved into training facilities at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre – a result of an £8.5m investment.

And, last month, the club released their plans for Europe’s first purpose-built women’s football stadium – a ground they say will “provide a permanent home and identity for the women’s team” in an attempt to drive long-term fan growth.

The stadium, which will be built in a site adjacent to Amex Stadium, is set to cost between £75m and 85m and will hold an initial capacity of 10,000.

“We hope this is just the start in England and in Europe,” Zoe Johnson, the managing director of women and girls’ football at Brighton, told BBC Sport.

“We want to be able to learn from clubs in America and to do even better for female athletes.”

For now, though, they have Wembley to look forward to.

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