Why Manchester City's Lauren Hemp is unfazed by Adobe Women's FA Cup semi-final tie with Chelsea - ‘You’ve got to beat the best to be the best’

The draw for the semi-finals of the Adobe Women's FA Cup has paired Women's Super League leaders Manchester City with holders Chelsea, and England international Lauren Hemp was asked about the tie after they beat Birmingham City. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor, meanwhile, was celebrating a "rocket" against Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's other quarter-final.

Lauren Hemp has given her verdict after Manchester City were drawn away to holders Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

The England international was in the team which beat Birmingham City 1-0 at St Andrew’s thanks to a goal from Khadija Shaw to book a place in the competition’s last four.

Liverpool will take on Brighton & Hove Albion in the other semi-final.

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Hemp admitted that City had not been at their best against Birmingham, but she was just grateful that the team got the job done.

The forward told TNT Sports: "Birmingham posted us a lot of threats, they were very aggressive.

"After we scored, they had a bit of the momentum. We struggled in moments of the game, but obviously the most important thing was that we won, and we’re through to the next round. We played some good stuff, but it weren’t our best performance."

Highlights: Shaw strike enough as Man City squeeze into semi-finals

Video credit: TNT Sports

Hemp is enjoying the freedom she has been given this season by manager Andree Jeglertz.

Asked what had changed for the team this season, Hemp said: "I think you’ve seen a shift in our mentality. The manager’s given us a lot of freedom as players.

"I think you’ve seen me taking up new positions, roaming a bit more free than I’m used to.

"I’m really enjoying it. When I can’t find the ball out wide, I have the freedom to go in and find it in the middle. That’s part of my game I want to improve."

Hemp was asked by the TNT Sports team after the game if she had heard the outcome of the draw, which had been made before the weekend’s last quarter-final.

She said: "I’ve heard some rumours. I wouldn’t have minded a home leg, but it is what it is. You’ve got to beat the best to be the best."

Buurman's 'rocket'

Chelsea trail leaders City in the Women's Super League, but their manager, Sonia Bompastor, says the team will "fight until the end" in both competitions after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in their FA Cup quarter-final.

She told TNT Sports: "We will fight until the end to have as many titles as we can. The FA Cup is part of the best memory I had in my whole career as a player and manager, being able to go to Wembley and play a final there.

"It's such a special moment. We'll see the draw, will do everything we can to reach the final again."

Highlights: Late Buurman strike boosts Blues into semi-final

Video credit: TNT Sports

On Veerle Buurman's stunning late winner against Spurs, Bompastor added: "That's a rocket, for sure. I was just behind, and I could see the trajectory. It was nice. I could see from the beginning when she struck the ball it was going to be a goal.

"She just proved again she's a top player, and now if she's contributing to goals, where is she going to stop?"

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