‘Definitely intended’ or fluke? - Identical stunners from ‘absolute talent’ Oceane Hurtre stir up debate after FA Cup thrashing

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Oceane Hurtre delivered a superb hat-trick as Birmingham City powered into the quarter-finals of the Adobe Women's FA Cup in emphatic fashion, dismantling Chatham Town 8–0 to become the first side to book their place in the last eight. Team-mate Lucy Quinn and manager Amy Merricks claimed both her two strikes from wide angles were deliberate but TNT Sports pundit Anita Asante wasn't convinced.

Highlights: Hurtre lights up FA Cup tie as Birmingham hit EIGHT past Chatham

Video credit: TNT Sports

Oceane Hurtre scored two goals from identical positions on the pitch as Birmingham City thrashed fourth-tier Chatham Town 8-0 in the Adobe Women's FA Cup to reach the quarter-finals.

Hurtre went home with the match ball after completing her hat-trick in a one-sided affair against the lowest-ranked team left in the competition.

It was a scoreline that did not look likely at the break as Birmingham only held a slender lead thanks to the first of Hurtre's three goals.

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The French midfielder delivered an outstanding goal from the left flank which flew over Chatham Town goalkeeper Simone Eligon and into the net. But did she mean it?

TNT Sports analyst Anita Asante said at the time of the first goal: "It's a delightful finish from Hurtre. She's been knocking on the door throughout this first half.

"She gets that swerve on the ball that takes it past Eligon. I'm not sure she's meant it but she'll definitely take it."

‘David Beckham-esque’ – Birmingham lead after Hurtre ‘bamboozles’ Eligon

Video credit: TNT Sports

The 22-year-old pounced on a lapse in concentration to double her tally and extend Birmingham's lead to 3-0 prior to the hour-mark, but her third was all down to her own individual brilliance as she conjured up another sensational strike from the left wing - but again, one wondered if it was intentional.

Her team-mate Lucy Quinn certainly thought so.

Quinn told TNT Sports: "She’ll say that she meant them and fair play to her because no one can tell her any different. I thought it was just selfish as both times I was waiting for crosses at the back post."

Birmingham head coach Amy Merricks was unequivocal in her assessment of Hurtre’s eye-catching goals from the left flank, insisting both efforts were deliberate.

Hurtre completes FA Cup hat-trick with ‘sensational’ strike from tight angle

Video credit: TNT Sports

To many, Hurtre’s first bore the hallmarks of a misdirected cross, but Merricks bristled at the suggestion when challenged by TNT Sports reporter Olivia Buzaglo at half-time.

"It was a shot because I’ve seen her do it in training," Merricks said.

After the final whistle, Merricks doubled down.

"They’re definitely intended goals," she said. "Oceane does it in training. Seriously, she’s done it in the league as well this season."

What is beyond dispute is Hurtre's quality - the kind that suggests a future at the very highest level may not be far away.

Merricks, however, is determined that progression will continue in blue with Birmingham currently second in the Women's Super League 2.

‘She does it in training’ – Merricks says Hurtre meant identical stunners in FA Cup win

Video credit: TNT Sports

"She’s on a three-year contract and I’m delighted," Merricks added. "She’s a player who can grow and come on a journey with us.

"An absolute talent. Only 22 years old. The transition’s been tough for her - and I don’t think we talk about that enough.

"Moving abroad, from the French culture of playing to the English way of playing, it’s completely different. But she’s settling more and more, as you can see."

In addition to Hurtre's treble, Quinn, Lee Geum-min and Wilma Leidhammar all capitalised on Chatham tiring to extend Birmingham's lead, alongside two for Batcheba Louis.

How to watch and stream the Women’s FA Cup

Four of the eight matches over the weekend will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Matches will be available both live and on demand.

The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.

You can also watch TNT Sports through EE TV, Sky, and Virgin Media.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

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