Miedema scores on Man City return – Women’s FA Cup round-up

With a 3-0 win over Ipswich, Vivianne Miedema scored on her way back from a knee injury to advance to the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup.

The Dutch forward made her first start since October 9 when she latched on to Chloe Kelly’s pass and fired into the bottom corner.

Jill Roord and Laura Coombs had earlier scored, and it completed a pleasant afternoon for the three-time winners.

“Viv is a top player, and she is always going to improve this team,” said City manager Gareth Taylor.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa won 9-0 against fourth-tier Bristol Rovers, who were only founded in 2019.

They were 3-0 up within eight minutes, with former England striker Rachel Daly scoring twice.

Gabi Nunes scored the other and the Brazil striker, who was making her debut in the competition, scored again in the first half, before competing her hat-trick after the break.

After Robert de Pauw left in December, Villa were 5-0 up at the break, and they added four more goals in the second period.

Paula Tomas, Chasity Grant, Kirsty Hanson and Jill Baijings were also on the scoresheet.

Chelsea’s five-time champions defeated Charlton 4-0, and Lauren James, an England international, made another comeback.

James, who has not played since pulling out of a Champions League game against Twente in the warm-up on 17 October, played 45 minutes, before being taken off at half-time.

A header from Mayra Ramirez, a Guro Reiten penalty, a clever Aggie Beever-Jones finish and a Niamh Charles strike meant Chelsea extended their unbeaten start to 17 games under Sonia Bompastor.

Dutch midfielder Wieke Kaptein was carried off on a stretcher after landing awkwardly in stoppage time, but there was a reason for concern for the French manager.

Kaptein will be evaluated on Monday, according to Bompastor.

Fulham, who play in the fifth tier and were the lowest-ranked side in the fourth round, were comfortably beaten 5-0 by Championship side London City Lionesses.

Issy Goodwin fired home the fifth goal with a hat-trick in the first half, before Kosovare Asllani scored a penalty and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah added a penalty.

Both third-tier teams, Rugby Borough and Wolves, are currently progressing and will be the lowest-ranked teams in the upcoming round.

Championship Sunderland put seven past third-place Exeter City in one of the most impressive displays of the day.

Eleanor Dale, who represented England at under-17 level and has played in the United States, scored four of them, while Ellen Jones notched a hat-trick.

Sunderland, who are fifth in the Championship, were 4-1 up at half-time, with Dale and Jones both scoring twice.

In the second half, the visitors scored three unanswered goals to complete their hat-trick.

Newcastle United, a fellow championship side, has also advanced. They had to be patient with Nottingham Forest, who are now third-tier, but Jasmine McQuade’s goal from distance secured their advancement.

Rugby Borough defeated London Bees 6-1, while Wolves won with a 2-0 victory over Cheltenham Town.

On Monday, the Women’s FA Cup YouTube page will announce the fifth round draw.

Ryhanna Parara and Jen Beattie, who won four FA Cups, will draw the balls starting at 18:30 GMT.