By Fran Lever 22/4/24
It would be fair to say if it was asked to a good percentage of women’s football fans in this country, they would not have predicted a Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur FA cup final at the start of the season but last weekend, both teams booked their tickets to Wembley in style.
Questions started. Would Manchester United be able to overcome what has been a difficult season for them? Or would the ever improving Tottenham Hotspur be able to get over the line? But the final twist of all that is part of Tottenham’s success this season had come because of Grace Clinton – who just so happens to be on loan from the red side of Manchester so unable to play any matches between the two.
This weekend provided the perfect opportunity for both teams as they played each in the Women’s Super League and it is fair to say it was an exciting match up.
Manchester United took an early lead from a free kick with Lyon loanee Melvine Malard finding the back of the net with an assist from Gemma Evans. The red’s player of the match had to be Leah Galton though. They have definitely been missing her. Her vision, her creativity and running down the wing is next to none. She created many chances for the team but there was no end product. The attack became more sluggish as the game went on and players were becoming more frustrated. Geyse, Rachel Williams and Lucía García came on during the game and attempted to help the Reds find their equaliser but struggled which sometimes was because Amy James-Turner was there at the right time.
One of the Tottenham questions was soon answered with both captain Bethany England and last weekend’s heroine Martha Thomas both starting in the midfield with rising star Jess Naz up front. It is fair to say it worked – until an early substitute had to be made when Thomas was forced to come off.
Depending on what angle, it appeared that Drew Spence had found the back of the net for the equaliser but in fact, it was England who had the last touch on the ball. Spence was still credited for the assist. A few moments later, Naz gave them the lead after a link up with Matilda Vinberg which did leave many fans wondering what was Mary Earps doing to not stop that goal going in?
As the game continued, tensions rose as a total of five yellow cards were given.
Substitute García found her shirt being pulled not once but twice. By Vinberg then Amanda Nildén. The Reds were given many free kicks but nothing came from them. They struggled to create any chances to find themselves on the scoresheet again.
Both Earps and Becky Spencer were forced to pull off saves as the game was 2-1 for the majority of the time. It was looking like Tottenham would take all three points and deny United their chance to get back into the top four.
Then, the Reds had the opportunity with two corners and Earps going up each time to try and level the score. First time denied. Second time, Maya Le Tissier found the back of the net in the dying moments of the game to make it level.
The reserve fixture this season was 0-5 to United and Tottenham have never won a game against them. A draw and a point will be disappointing but a start for the travelling team. As for the hosts, not so much. The result will force them to keep pushing and trying to get back up the table. Because they are fourth again but only on goal difference, which is proving to be the deciding factor in the season.
Tottenham can play without Grace Clinton, which will be a relief for them but they will need to try and explore different options if they are to win the FA cup. As for United, they need more rotation in attack. They have some of the best attackers in the league but sometimes it does not always work. Nikita Parris had been on an incredible run for them up until last month. Something they nearly always do is pull out of the bag when it comes down to it. The United from last season is very different to this season but the same can be said for Tottenham.
Many might not have predicted this match up for Wembley but after the game ending in a draw. Tottenham forced to try new things, both teams coming from behind, a wray of different aspects, the FA cup final promises to be one of the best there has been. Not only will a new team win for the first time but after this WSL game, it is actually hard to say who will lift the trophy. It is truly anyone’s game. For neutrals, it promises to be cinematic. Both teams saw each other vulnerable at times but also some of their strong points so they can go away and work on that.
If this was the warm up, what will the final be like? The battle is truly on. Not only for the final but for the middle of the table. United now sit in the top four on 32 points and on the same amount as Liverpool but goal difference is proving to be the ultimate ally this season. Tottenham sit on 26 points and are 6th. Six points from the top four spot is something that they could have dreamed of this time last year as they faced relegation. The gap is closing and the Women’s Super League is heating with competition.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)
Earps; Mannion, Le Tissier, Turner, Evans; Naalsund, Zelem ; Malard, Toone, Galton ; Parris
Substitutes: Blundell, García , Miyazawa , Geyse, Williams
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-2-3-1)
Spencer; Neville, James-Turner, Bühler, Nildén ; Spence, Summanen ; England, Thomas, Vinberg ; Naz
Substitutes: Graham, Ahtinen, Ayane
Scorers: Malard 13’, England 29’, Naz 31’, Le Tissier 90+2’
Referee: Rebecca Welch
Attendance: 4,697
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