RateTheRef

Having seen this on TV, I think Ms. Welch had little chance of seeing the incident. Had she done so, I'm sure she would have taken the appropriate action. Hopefully, the FA will take retrospective action.

As I recall the incident, the players had been tangling together for a few seconds. Always wise to keep glancing back at them, especially if they are still in close proximity, to see if their are any 'afters'.  As we have always known, to be a good referee you need eyes in the back of your head !  Presumably her ARs and 4th were also looking in different directions to the incident. Unfortunate.

I only saw the highlights on MOTD. This seemed to be the most notable incident, for the rest Ms Welch seemed to have perfectly good control of the match though highlights do little except focus on the major moments, so it's hard to get an overall impression.

Just seen video footage of the elbowing incident. As one correspondent pointed out, Ms. Welch was following the play with the ball being crossed in from the wing and the cheap shot was enacted behind her back. Cowardly from the player concerned and that should result in retrospective action taken, a la rugby union.

Without technology in use, the player concerned scored the equalising goal. C’est la vie I’m afraid. The referee can hardly be blamed for not taking action for something she didn’t spot, however was it possible either assistant spotted the offence and helped Rebecca Welch out?

All ifs, buts and maybes now, but what a terrific game that epitomises the magic of this famous old competition.

She had no chance of seeing that.  Also very difficult for the active assistant as he will have been fully focussed on the offside line.  Only real hope is the inactive AR or 4th official spot it.

If that's the case and with no VAR,  should the FA step in and issue a charge against the offender? Or are we then straying into the realms of re-refereeing the game?

The FA posted an hour ago on there Twitter feed that Thomas-Asante has a 3 match ban for violent conduct, match officials missed it but caught on camera

Only if observer believed they missed it due to poor positioning or lack of identification.
Given where the ball was RW and active assistant had no chance. Pictures give no indication where other AR and 4th are, so cannot comment.
They will be upset to have missed it but should not adversely affect marks too much.