Womens' FA Cup: Caitlin Hayes scores to shock Katie McCabe's Arsenal, Denise O'Sullivan's Liverpool progress

The surprise result extends Arsenal’s decade-long wait to lift the Women’s FA Cup, just four days after they knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League to reach a European semi-final.

INTO THE SEMIS: Brighton and Hove Albion's Caitlin Hayes celebrates scoring her side's second goal. Pic: Steven Paston/PA Wire.

Arsenal made a surprise exit at the quarter-final stage of the Women’s FA Cup for the second successive season as Brighton stunned the record 14-time cup winners at Borehamwood.

The shock result extends Arsenal’s decade-long wait to lift the Women’s FA Cup, just four days after they knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League to reach a European semi-final.

Dario Vidosic’s side stepped up and their former Chelsea forward Fran Kirby provided two assists to help Brighton secure a memorable 2-0 victory.

First Kirby slipped the ball through to Madison Haley, who swept a superb finish into the top corner from the right hand side of the penalty area in lethal style,making it 1-0 shortly after half-time.

Just over 15 minutes later, a deep Kirby corner was headed in at the far post by Republic of Ireland defender Caitlin Hayes to boost Brighton’s hopes of winning a first major piece of women’s football silverware.

The victory was no less than Brighton deserved on a day when Arsenal looked disjointed and perhaps a little fatigued after their midweek efforts.

The north London side, who have not reached the FA Cup semi-finals since 2022 despite dominating this competition historically, opted to start with the England striker Alessia Russo on the bench alongside other stars such as Olivia Smith and Katie McCabe, who finally emerged after 76 minutes.

Arsenal were also knocked out in the quarter-finals on home turf last season against Liverpool.

Meanwhile a goal in extra-time from substitute Zara Shaw on her long-awaited return from injury earned Liverpool a 1-0 victory at Charlton Athletic in their last eight clash.

The 18-year-old marked her comeback after a little more than a year out with a vital contribution to send the Reds into the final four.

Shaw scored in the 115th minute to settle the quarter-final at The Valley on Sunday.

Denise O’Sullivan twice went close to breaking the deadlock in normal, first guiding a header too high from a looping Woodham cross from the left byline.

Then, a Cornelia Kapocs delivery landed at her feet after an initial header. However, her off-balance effort flew above the frame of the goal before she was withdrawn in the 58th minute.