Women’s FA Cup final: Rampant Reds overrun Spurs

Sunday’s Women’s FA Cup final was meaningful. The 10th at Wembley Stadium, which sold out in record time with an attendance of 76,000, just shy of last year’s record. It was the first WFA Cup Final in Tottenham Hotspur’s history. Manchester United were still searching for their first major trophy having been beaten 1-0 by Chelsea in last season’s final. The Reds were hoping to go one better after overcoming Chelsea 2-1 in the semi-finals this time around. A new winner of the competition was set to be crowned and it was the first time since 2014 (when Liverpool won the WSL) that a domestic trophy would not be swept up by one of the dominant trio of Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester City.

Manchester United came into the match as favourites, a more experienced side, sitting higher in the league table than Spurs and having taken their revenge against Chelsea in the previous round; they were rightly feeling confident. Spurs who have made huge progress this season under Robert Vilahamn, were unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions and had never made the semi-finals of the WFA Cup before, let alone the final.

The first shot of the match was fired over by Spurs’ Vinberg as Toone struggled to get across to block the shot. Spurs goalkeeper Spencer was quick off her line in the 2nd minute to smother Galton, after she linked up nicely in a one-two with Toone following a perfectly weighted pass. The resulting corner kick presented a golden opportunity for Williams, who despite making a great connection with the ball, could not keep her header under the cross bar.

It was a strong start by the Reds, with intense pressing, and sharp passing. Williams met the next corner as well, using her body exceptionally well despite being only 5’6”, but her header was directed wide.

Spurs put some nice passes together in the 14th minute, which led to Neville cutting back onto her left foot and delivering a curled cross, but it was just too high for Vinberg whose header went over the bar.

Toone stunner

The third corner of the match was met by a United head again. Turner headed it back across goal towards Garcia, but Summanen was brave and flew into a collision with Garcia, heading the ball over the crossbar.

Spurs grew in confidence after United’s strong start. Martha Thomas blocked a shot on the line in the 33rd min from a Millie Turner header after a great leap, the closest either side had come to scoring thus far.

Come the 40th minute, Spurs looked as though they were beginning to tire, losing 50:50s, and struggling to string passes together. In the final minute of first half added time, Naz gave the ball away cheaply up the pitch towards the corner flag, which gave United an opportunity to build a counter-attack. The ball was swiftly moved forward and found Toone, who had run from her own box. She picked the ball up just inside the Spurs half and carried it forward. Toone shimmied away from a sliding Spurs player and curled a beautiful shot into the top right corner to put the Reds in front. Spencer in goal had no chance. Seconds before half-time, it was a fantastic time to score. Spurs had done so well to contain United but couldn’t keep it level as the half-time whistle arrived.

During the opening 10 minutes of the second half, Spurs came out playing strongly in the United half, but they were still struggling to create many chances. Refereeing decisions were also noticeably going in United’s favour.

Garcia double

In the 54th minute, a free kick out on the right-hand side was driven into the box by captain Zelem and this time Williams’ powerful header found the far corner of the net. The red areas of Wembley erupted as United’s lead was doubled. Williams fell to the ground in celebration and her teammates bundled on top of her. After a good start to the second half, it now looked like a very tough task for Spurs to come back into this game.

Spurs responded to the second goal immediately, creating an opportunity, but England fired high and wide. In the 57th minute a routine back pass to Spurs goalkeeper Spencer led to a 3rd United goal, as instead of clearing her lines, Spencer’s attempted pass across goal was cut out and turned into the net by Garcia. A huge error which left Spurs rattled. United were in dreamland, on their way to their first WFA Cup triumph.

United came forward two more times around the hour mark. Then five minutes later, there was a purposeful dribble forward from Spurs sub, Bizet, she turned and found Nildén out on the left wing. Nildén crossed into the box and it was met by England, who directed her header goalward, but it crashed against the crossbar. The closest Tottenham had come, after great movement from England to get away from her marker. It was evident that it was not Spurs’ day.

United sub, Malard raced through on goal in the 72nd minute, however Spencer redeemed herself, her perfect positioning helped her to make a strong stop to her right.

Garcia made it 4-0 to Manchester United in the 74th minute. Just inside the box, the ball was laid across to her by Naalsund and despite leaning back, off balance, her left footed shot found the roof of the net. The travelling Manchester United fans behind the goal were being absolutely spoilt.

The final score was 4-0 at Wembley. Spurs competed well for the majority, but the match was decided by fine margins. The Reds were clinical. A fantastic final’s performance by Marc Skinner’s team allowed their fans to travel home jubilant. A well-earned first piece of silverware for Manchester United. For Spurs, it proved to be a step too far for the team at this stage of their development, but the fantastic achievement of reaching the WFA Cup Final gives much promise for a successful future with more improvement to come.