If there were any nerves in the Manchester United dressing room before kick-off that this was their last chance of silverware this season, then Millie Turner rapidly cleared them away.
United have struggled to keep pace with the top three in the WSL this campaign. The Reds are languishing in fourth place, nine points away from Arsenal in third and a coveted Champions League spot.
And after being knocked out of the Conti (League) Cup, then it seems it is the FA Cup or nothing for Skinner’s side.
So when Katie Zelem’s curling ball found Millie Turner’s head in the opening ten minutes to give United the lead, it was almost possible to hear a collective sigh of relief from the away fans.
United put in a dominant display after the opener, particularly in the middle of the park where the midfielders seemed tuned into the same wavelength. This had been a criticism of Skinner’s side this season – a lack of coherence between a new-look setup.
But it was actually the newest additions, Melvine Malard and Lisa Naalsund, who shone brightest in this match, and both were rewarded for their efforts. Malard provided two assists and Naalsund’s curling goal from outside the box in the second half drew gasps from even the home fans.
Brighton on the other hand looked as if the wind had been taken out of them after Garcia’s tap-in (United’s second) in the 17th minute. They didn’t make life easy for themselves either, insisting on playing out from the back and inviting pressure from United’s speedy attackers.
A couple of half chances came near Mary Earps in the dying minutes, but the England number one looked unfazed, and otherwise enjoyed a quiet evening between the posts.
United, who beat Brighton in the semi-final of this competition last season only to lose to Chelsea in their first FA Cup final at Wembley, will be hoping to go one further this time. And this performance suggested that might still be possible.
United will find out who they will face in the semi-final on Tuesday, March 12, with Leicester already through and Tottenham v Manchester City and Everton v Chelsea to play tomorrow.