by Hannah Chadwick and Rachel Gore (11/5/24)
Above: The Women’s FA Cup. Photo: Football Assocation.
All FA Cup Finals are landmark occasions. But this year’s one is particularly special. There’s a first-time finalist in Tottenham Hotspur, and we are guaranteed a brand new name on the trophy that will be lifted at a sold-out Wembley Stadium.
Impetus’ Hannah Chadwick and Rachel Gore analyse Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United’s key tactical options, strengths, and potential areas to target ahead of Sunday’s big showdown.
Tottenham Hotspur
by Hannah Chadwick
Reaching the FA Cup Final was the culmination of many years of work and gradually improving fortunes for the girls in Lilywhite. Having overcome some tough battles against Manchester City who they despatched in the Quarter-Final and Leicester City in the Semi-Final. Both games went to extra time and even penalties in the case of the Quarter-Final before Spurs managed to secure the victory and book their place in the final at Wembley.
This season has been one of continual achievements for Robert Vilahamn’s side who has transferred successes at Damallsvenskan side BK Häcken to Tottenham. As well as reaching Wembley, the Swede has guided his team to their first-ever North London derby success against Arsenal.
Spurs got to Wembley with their unique and unpredictable playing style. Most recently Vilahamn has chosen to experiment with playing Jessica Naz, who has real pace and has been so powerful when running in behind the defence to receive long balls over the top, in the number nine position, moving Beth England to the left wing with Swedish international Matilda Vinberg on the right wing, which has the consequence of allowing England to come in as a second striker.
However, Vilahamn’s options in this third of the field can become yet more varied with the potential of Martha Thomas and England playing as two strikers alongside each other, or Naz playing as a sole striker with Vinberg with Thomas and England sitting behind her which we saw in the most recent fixture between Manchester United and Spurs.
There is a third potential option for the Spurs boss who also has Rosella Ayane available. The Moroccan international offers the ability to read the play and make opportunities.
In the midfield, we could see Finish duo Evelinna Summanen and Olga Ahtinen play alongside Kit Graham or Shaung Wang or a pairing of Summanen and Drew Spence. These are the most recent pairings that Vilahamn has been using, remembering that Grace Clinton is on loan from Manchester United and so unable to play against her parent club – a real blow for Spurs as her ability to pick up the ball in space and her one on one ability is such a key part of the North London side’s game.
On the defensive side of things Vilahamn tends to stick to the same backline with Ashleigh Neville at right back, Amy James-Turner and Luana Buhler as the two centre back and Amanda Nilden at left back, with the left and right back pushing high up the pitch to press the opposition. On the day of the final, we could also see Molly Bartrip replace either of the two centre-backs as a substitute as she steps up her comeback from injury.
As she continually grows into the WSL, Charli Grant has the potential to start at right back over Neville as she did in Spurs’ game with Brighton and Hove Albion a fortnight ago. Grant has the enviable ability to also shine in the left back spot – a string to her bow that few players have. The South Australian can provide the ultimate flexibility for her team, meaning the defensive shape can mix and match when required.
The key to the outcome of this game is likely to hinge on what team has the most success in making runs behind or through the defence. As both of these teams hold a high press, a ball over the top could mean you are one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Allied with this is the need for pacey players to make intelligent runs into channels and those with the highest calibre of close-quarter patient passing skills. These will be the keys to unlocking the door behind which lies the FA Cup.
Manchester United
by Rachel Gore
In order to reach the FA Cup final, Manchester United had to beat Chelsea in the semi-finals. This 2-1 win was a statement-making result for United – but the challenge now is to take advantage of this golden opportunity to go one step further than last year at Wembley.
It needs to be remembered that Manchester United’s professional women’s team was only launched in 2018 and now, just six years later, the team are heading to Wembley for the second successive year with a chance of taking home silverware.
The wall that opponents Spurs will need to smash down will be Mary Earps – FIFA Best Goalkeeper for two years in a row. Earps is known best for providing stand out saves in high pressure moments at some of the most impressive venues; she’s provided for the Reds, and for the Lionesses, and will no doubt showcase her skill at Wembley during the final.
Earps is not the only United player who can be relied upon for a big game moment. Ella Toone searches for goals in big games, and nearly always makes her mark. The United attacker can boast the remarkable statistic of being the only England player, male or female, to have scored at a quarter-final, semi-final, and final at a major international tournament.
The Reds also have Lucía García, who scored in the FA Cup semi-final, in their squad, as well as Nikita Parris, who is United’s top goal scorer of the season with an impressive 13 goals in 16 games.
García poses a strong defensive threat, against Chelsea she cleared the ball out of the box at important moments, but was also ready to attack, scoring one of the goals that won the match. Tottenham will need to be constantly focusing on García as she will aim to prevent them scoring, but also try to score herself.
Parris is a fast player who pulls out unexpected moves. Defensively, Spurs will focus on the striker. She is always looking to receive balls from Katie Zelem and this partnership will need to be closely monitored by Spurs. Zelem is a strong-minded player who keeps a level head and leads her team with a calming presence on the pitch. She has over 150 appearances for United and uses this experience to direct her teammates and ensure that they make the most out of each minute.
With Millie Turner, Maya Le Tissier, and Aoife Mannion in defence, Spurs will have to be at their absolute best to create anything to bother Earps. Le Tissier has become a comfortable and consistent member of the England national side. The young defender will take confidence from United’s most recent clash against their Wembley opponents. Here, Le Tissier showcased her skill; putting her body on the line in aggressive tackles and ultimately scoring the goal which secured the team’s draw.
Mannion has also stepped up internationally this season. The defender has become an integral part of the Republic of Ireland national side. Her experience playing Gaelic football has led her to be a strong aggressive player who knows how to make quick, physical decisions under pressure. Spurs will have to match her physical presence in order to have a chance of competing with United’s Irish star.
Whilst United have strength across the pitch, they will need to be wary of Spurs’ midfield. The strong attacks from the likes of Matilda Vinberg will create real danger if her pace and ball skills are not neutered at source.
Beth England will also be a key player that United will need to target. The Spurs captain will aim to drive the ball forward, bringing teammates into the fray as well as looking to score yet more big game goals. It is United’s midfield who have the work to do in order to contain the Lioness.
Zelem will need to combat England with strong tackles. There is also a vital role for both Leah Galton and Ella Toone here. Previously Galton has successfully made runs down the left-hand side of the pitch against Spurs which have allowed her to make pinpoint passes into the box that have led to goals. This duo need to maximise their possession with their proven ability to rocket strong balls into the box, or, in Toone’s case, smash powerful long-range efforts into the net.
If they can do this then a first major trophy will be on its way to the red side of Manchester.
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