The Blues’ journey in the competition ended at the semi-final stage after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at the Joie Stadium.
Goals from Celine Bizet and Grace Clinton inside the first 22 minutes proved to be the difference as the visitors secured passage into Wembley’s showpiece.
In the wake of the disappointing defeat, City’s interim head coach says we must rise to high-pressured occasions in the future and use the emotions at full-time to our advantage.
“We have to show more desire, show more fight, show more spirit in the first parts of the game,” he said.
“It’s an FA Cup semi-final, you’re going to be put under pressure and you have to absorb that pressure and get through.
“We didn’t really show the fight and spirit we needed in the first parts of the game to compete at the level needed.
“[The disappointment] has to be the fuel to improve. The experiences from this one and the Chelsea Champions League second leg, they have to use this to improve our team, our fight, collectively, everybody. Staff and myself as the leader of this team.
“The staff, the players we have to go into these games – especially at home – with far more of a solid foundation to work from.”
Watch Cushing’s full post-match interview in the video player above.
