Manchester United engraved their name of the Women’s FA Cup trophy for the first time as they put four past Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. After a stale first half, Ella Toone found the opener, United ignited by the lead heading into the second half. A Rachel Williams header and gifted goal for Lucía García saw United three up before García sealed the deal with a fourth.
In 1996, Liverpool men rocked up to the FA Cup final in white suits, losing the game 1-0 to Manchester United. It set a precedent and superstition around white suits being a bad omen before cup finals. When Tottenham Hotspur women turned up to Wembley in 2024 for the FA Cup final in white suits, the history book on the shelf did repeat itself.
History was inevitable as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur geared up to get their hands of their first FA Cup trophy. United, hurt by their defeat to Chelsea in last years’ FA Cup final retuned to Wembley with ambition and a desire for what they missed out on. Tottenham, on the other hand, were in new territory. Robert Vilahamn’s side took Manchester City to penalties in the quarter final and Leicester City to extra time in the semi-final, making their inaugural FA Cup final appearance.
To the east of the stadium, a sea of red shirts, embarking on another Wembley visit. To the west, a bank of white shirts, Spurs fans coming out in their numbers for the historic event.
Marc Skinner opted to stick with the unconventional attacking line up from his winning side who beat Chelsea in the semi-final.
From the off, both sides demonstrated their hunger, Ella Toone and Leah Galton finding fluidity as they won an early corner. Women’s football stalwart Rachel Williams – who has represented both clubs in her career – headed Katie Zelem’s delivery just over the bar
Traditionally proving strong aerially, Williams put another wide of goal just minutes after her first opportunity in front of goal. United did not capitalise off their multiple set pieces early in the first half as there was another scramble in the box with Lucía García failing to convert.
While play became somewhat stale, United had the better opportunities, closing in on the first half. With twelve shots at goal ahead of the break – two on target – the reds were repetitive in their runs of play. Pockets of skill and vision from Tottenham’s January signing, Matilda Vinberg, were Spurs’ only genuine opportunities at getting near the goal.
In the dying minutes of the first half, Lisa Naalsund executed a perfectly picked out pass to Ella Toone who curled the ball into the top of the net sending Manchester United 1-0.
Lyon loanee, Melvine Malard, took the pitch in place of Leah Galton just after the break, adding impetus to United’s attack. Spurs followed suit making a double substitution, Vinberg coming off for Shuang Wang and Jess Naz for Celin Bizet.
Imminently, United doubled their lead, Williams heading the ball into the bottom corner in front of the wave of red. 12 years after Williams’ first FA Cup final goal, she etched her name onto the scoresheet aged 36. The momentum was fully in Manchester United’s favour as Becky Spencer attempted to play out from the back, directly passing the ball to the feet of Lucía García who converted making it 3-0.
In their search for a comeback or at least a consolation prize, captain Beth England hit the crossbar, a header from the cross by Charli Grant. Despite the calamitous error, Spencer briefly returned to equilibrium as she saved close range shots from Malard and García.
It was not to last as United continued to dominate play. García scored a brace, taking United 4-0 up. Tottenham’s shaky defence looked fatigued and lethargic as hosts of Spurs fans emptied out the stadium.
As the final whistle blew, the east of the stadium erupted, the west looked bare and barren. Manchester United, despite their woes in the league, secured silverware at Wembley.
Lineups:
Manchester United: Mary Earps, Hannah Blundell, Maya le Tissier, Millie Turner, Jayde Riviere, Katie Zelem, Lisa Naalsund, Lucía García, Ella Toone, Leah Galton, Rachel Williams
Tottenham Hotspur: Rebecca Spencer, Ash Neville, Luana Bühler, Amy James-Turner, Amanda Nildén, Drew Spence, Eveliina Summanen, Jess Naz, Martha Thomas, Matilda Vinberg, Beth England
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