Match Report: Manchester United 4:0 Tottenham | Women’s FA Cup final | May 2024
Manchester United travelled to London to face Tottenham at a sold-out Wembley in the Women’s FA Cup final, with blistering sunshine accompanying the showpiece affair.
In what was a historic fixture, both sides aimed to claim their first major piece of silverware, with a guarantee that there would be a new name on the trophy at the final whistle.
For United, it was a case of attempting to go one step further than last season, having lost out to Chelsea in a pulsating final. Marc Skinner’s side had already avenged that defeat, seeing off the Blues in the semi-final en route to today’s fixture.
A touch of genius was the difference in the first half
Both sides started quickly, with Matilda Vinberg blazing over from outside the area for Tottenham, while Ella Toone looked menacing for United.
The Reds took to the occasion like ducks to water, settling after moments and began to dominate proceedings without supplying the final delicate touch in the opposition box.
Grace Clinton is on loan at Spurs from Skinner’s side and was ineligible to face her parent club. She has had a tremendous season and was sorely missed by the Londoners.
As controlled as United were throughout the half – particularly from set pieces – the game became slightly stagnant, with only one shot on target after 40 minutes of play.
Rachel Williams is known as a target player and not one with blistering pace to break the back line. That was evident from the opening exchanges and became more apparent throughout the half. Her desire and work ethic was astounding from the opening whistle.
With three minutes of additional time played at the end of regulation, we were heading for a scoreless interval. That was until Toone collected the ball 30 yards from the goal and sent Wembley into a frenzy with some individual brilliance – before netting a screamer from outside the area.
With three minutes of additional time played at the end of regulation, we were heading for a scoreless interval. That was until Toone collected the ball 30 yards from the goal and sent Wembley into a frenzy with some individual brilliance – before netting a screamer from outside the area.
United headed for the dressing rooms with a deserved goal lead – one to savour for the remarkable 24-year-old.
Domination for the Women in Red
If the first half was a story of possession without the necessary grace in the final third, the second half was a Wembley clinic in the art of finishing.
With the game hanging finely in the balance with only one goal between the sides, injury forced Leah Galton off the field after three minutes of the resumption. She was replaced by Melvine Malard.
Five minutes later, Williams climbed brilliantly with a superb header and finish that beat the keeper at the far post.
The 36-year-old collapsed in excitement, overwhelmed with joy, before celebrating with the thousands of travelling supporters.
United added a third three minutes later through Lucía García, capitalising on a poor clearance from Becky Spencer before slotting the ball into an open net. The Reds had clear daylight.
Bethany England rattled the crossbar for Spurs in the 65th minute when she should have scored before García added her second, and United’s fourth, nine minutes later capitalising on some more questionable defending.
To the credit of the Spurs side, they continued to push for a goal but were met with stern resistance, forcing long-range efforts that led to nothing meaningful.
With six minutes of added time played, the referee signalled the end of proceedings, with the Spurs players falling to the ground in exhaustion.
Manchester United Women are FA Cup champions, winning the club’s first piece of major silverware. Four goals from Toone, Williams and a García brace earn a deserved win at Wembley.
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