Catarina Macario scored her second goal in as many games since returning from injury for Chelsea to secure her side a place in the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals as they edged past Everton.
Everton made life difficult for the Women’s Super League leaders, pressing them with intensity and limiting the free space in the final third in a close first half.
The Toffees had the better early chances to open the scoring as Chelsea struggled to get going, Kathrine Kuhl twice forcing Zecira Musovic to react quickly and stop deflected efforts.
Chelsea, who should really scored before the break when Jelena Cankovic fired an effort wide from inside the Everton box, entered the second half with a renewed sense of purpose.
They enjoyed more space as Everton tired, and the introduction of substitutes proved to be the difference as the holders showcased their superiority.
Chelsea will find out their semi-final opponents in Tuesday’s draw, which takes place at around 08:20 GMT during BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
Chelsea grind out difficult win
This was not the controlling performance which has come to be expected when Chelsea take on Everton.
Emma Hayes’ side had won both of the two meetings between these sides so far this season, yet the Toffees were impressive on Sunday as their disciplined performance stifled their opponents’ attacking presence.
They found it difficult to create chances from open play before the break, although former Everton defender Nathalie Bjorn nearly netted an early opener when she headed a corner on to the crossbar.
That was to be Bjorn’s only set-piece threat, though, as the Swedish centre-back was forced off with a calf issue, adding to Chelsea’s lengthening injury list.
This was the third game of eight in a congested March for the cup holders, who made six changes to rotate their depleted squad.
Chelsea emerged from the break looking to put their frustrating first half behind them, attacking with greater intensity and forcing Everton to sit deeper in defence.
They enjoyed more freedom, but it was Everton who nearly struck first, Musovic producing a fine stop to palm Elise Stenevik’s free-kick on to the bar.
Yet Everton failed to capitalise on any of their chances and the goal gave Chelsea a much-needed cushion as they dug deep to see out the victory.
Katja Snoeijs typified Everton’s shortcomings when she failed to meet a Rikke Madsen delivery in the six-yard box, missing a late chance to level the scoring.
Reaching the semi-final keeps alive Chelsea’s dream of becoming just the second English side to secure a quadruple, with the WSL leaders already in the League Cup final and the Champions League quarter-finals.
Line-ups
Everton Women
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Brosnan
- 8Vanhaevermaet
- 20Finnigan
- 27Stenevik
- 22Galli
- 7Wheeler
- 10BennisonSubstituted forBissellat 84′minutes
- 21KühlSubstituted forHopeat 72′minutes
- 18Piemonte
- 19PayneBooked at 45minsSubstituted forMadsenat 71′minutes
- 25SnoeijsSubstituted forDaleat 83′minutes
Substitutes
- 9Duggan
- 11Bissell
- 13Hart
- 15Dale
- 17Hope
- 26Madsen
- 30Wilding
- 39Hobson
Chelsea Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Musovic
- 15Périsset
- 6Nüsken
- 39BjörnSubstituted forCharlesat 14′minutes
- 7CarterBooked at 61mins
- 28CankovicSubstituted forJamesat 63′minutes
- 5IngleSubstituted forLeupolzat 63′minutes
- 22CuthbertSubstituted forHamanoat 79′minutes
- 19Rytting Kaneryd
- 14KirbySubstituted forMacárioat 63′minutes
- 33Beever-Jones
Substitutes
- 8Leupolz
- 9Macário
- 10James
- 11Reiten
- 12Lawrence
- 21Charles
- 23Hamano
- 24Hampton
- 26Buchanan
Live Text
Match ends, Everton Women 0, Chelsea Women 1.
Second Half ends, Everton Women 0, Chelsea Women 1.
Foul by Catarina Macário (Chelsea Women).
Elise Stenevik (Everton Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Martina Piemonte (Everton Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Lucy Hope.
Foul by Melanie Leupolz (Chelsea Women).
Martina Piemonte (Everton Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Lauren James (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Melanie Leupolz with a cross.
Foul by Maika Hamano (Chelsea Women).
Lucy Hope (Everton Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Niamh Charles (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Rikke Madsen (Everton Women).
Foul by Lauren James (Chelsea Women).
Elise Stenevik (Everton Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Everton Women. Emma Bissell replaces Hanna Bennison.
Substitution, Everton Women. Eleanor Dale replaces Katja Snoeijs.
Sjoeke Nüsken (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Clare Wheeler (Everton Women).
Foul by Ãve Périsset (Chelsea Women).
Hanna Bennison (Everton Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.