Manchester United 4-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Image Above: Manchester United celebrating their trophy. (Image from Manchester United Women on X)
by Hannah Chadwick (12/5/2024)
Manchester United produced a dominant display to defeat Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium this afternoon to seal their first major trophy.
The first shot of the game went Spurs’ way as Swedish winger Matilda Vinberg danced around the red shirts, but sent her shot over the bar.
United hit back through Jayde Riviere and Ella Toone who attempted to slide a pass into Leah Galton whose run was ended after colliding with onrushing Tottenham keeper Becky Spencer.
As the half rumbled on, it was Marc Skinner’s side who took charge with the combination of Rachel Williams and Lucia García linking up with Toone down the left-hand side – something which would prove to be fruitful throughout.
Spurs responded with Vinberg cruising along the left and supplied Martha Thomas who headed wide. They came close shortly after once more when Ashleigh Neville crossed in but Vinberg could only head wide.
The frantic exchange of play continued as Katie Zelem fired in a corner which Garcia headed over. Toone was next on the front foot for United, volleying over the top.
The Red Devils were gradually finding the ascendancy, and another dangerous corner from Zelem found Toone once more, but Eveliina Summanen denied the Lioness.
United were rewarded for the greater effectiveness of their offensive play in the final minute of added time in the first half. A lack of communication in the Spurs defensive line allowed Toone to get through on goal, making no mistake with a sensational rocket shot that curled into the roof of the net past the despairing dive Spencer.
There was no immediate need for the North London side to panic – every time they have gone behind in an FA Cup game this season, they have gone on to win the match.
However, within 10 minutes of the re-start, Spurs’ job got doubly tough as Williams doubled United’s lead
Beth England tried to get her side back into the game, but saw her eventual shot go over the top. In the end, this would prove to be the ultimate deciding point in the game, as within minutes the Red Devils went 3-0 up. It was a moment that Spencer will never forget for all the wrong reasons as, in attempting to play out from the back, her clearance lacked power and went straight to Lucia García who capitalised on the error with a deserved goal.
Another opportunity came and went for Spurs after Nilden worked the ball into the 18-yard box for England, but the header hit the bar and the follow up hit the side netting.
The final goal came after another lack of control from the North Londoners allowed Lucia García to net her second.
Kit Graham was busy for Tottenham in the closing stages and is buzzing all over the pitch, picking up the ball in space and sending a shot at goal which is blocked by Millie Turner with England’s follow up also blocked.
That was the last opportunity for Spurs and the final whistle sealed a historic victory for Manchester United. Their strength, organisation and sheer desire ensured that all memories of last year’s loss to Chelsea in the final is firmly in the past.
Teams: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR: (4-2-3-1): Spencer, James-Turner, Nilden (68′ Grant), Naz (54′ Bizet), England, Vinberg (54′ Wang), Thomas (68′ Ayane), Buhler, Summanen (68′ Graham), Neville.
MANCHESTER UNITED: (4-2-3-1): Earps, Le Tissier, Blundell, Toone (78′ Miyazawa), Zelem, Galton (50′ Malard), Riviere (78′ Mannion), Naalsund, Lucia García (78′ Geyse), Turner, Williams (58′ Parris).
Scorers: Toone 45’+3, Williams 54, Lucia García 57′, 74′.
Referee: Abi Byrne
Attendance: 76,082
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