A trophy helps to numb the pain
Manchester United are Women's FA Cup champions. Their season on the whole hasn't been up to scratch, but they won't care for the time being.
WEMBLEY STADIUM – Marc Skinner will be able to forget his side’s underperformance for a moment. Manchester United have their first piece of major silverware and all of a sudden an otherwise underwhelming season doesn’t look that bad.
The nature of victory meant he had ample time to celebrate. Even before they broke the deadlock the FA Cup final looked like United’s to lose. After Ella Toone scored, it never seemed in doubt.
You’d be forgiven for feeling that such a performance was slightly surprising. After all, this is the same Manchester United team who crashed out of the Champions League and have faltered in the Women’s Super League. Somehow, all of that seemed like a completely different team.
That they beat holders and league title favourites Chelsea in the semi-finals showed they have the ability to pull off impressive results when needed. With that result behind their belts seeing off Spurs seemed like light work.
United definitely made light work of it. They were dominant from the off at Wembley, crowding Tottenham’s thirds as they probed for an opener.
They only scored once in the first half, but it should have been more. Captain Katie Zelem’s vision from corners was excellent, but sadly her side lacked the finishing touch.
Rachel Williams missed the target with two free headers, Lucia Garcia did the same with another, and Millie Turner had an effort cleared off the line by Spurs striker Martha Thomas.
They hadn’t made the most of their early chances but everything in the game pointed in one direction: United were the better team and that being reflected in the scoreline would only be a matter of time.
Ella Toone made sure that was the case as she became the first woman to score for United at Wembley, doing so in some style. The England midfielder spotted a chance when left in space about 20 yards from goal and rifled into the top corner, beating the outstretched glove of Rebecca Spencer and putting an end to United’s frustration.
There was only going to be one outcome after that.
Against a Spurs side who looked devoid of ideas, overturning possession far too often and being relatively one-dimensional on the counter-attack, Mary Earps looked unlikely to face any real trouble. All United had to do was ensure things worked at the other end.
And that they did. Maybe it was a newfound energy after the break, the impact of a momentary spell away from the blistering sun, or perhaps it was just their confidence growing after taking the lead. Whatever it was, it resulted in a Zelem delivery finally being converted.
This time it was from a free-kick, the United midfielder sending a pinpoint delivery towards the back post from deep in midfield. There to meet it was Williams, scoring her first FA Cup final goal since helping Birmingham to win the tournament in 2012.
Williams’ goal vindicated Skinner’s squad selection. He had chosen to start her over Nikita Parris, who has been such an integral part of the Reds’ attacking line this season, but his decision paid dividends.
Williams won every ball that was sent in her direction and got the goal her work deserved. She gave United their second and then they just kept on going.
United’s intensity didn’t wane, but they didn’t need much effort at all to make it three. Garcia had no more to do than tap in from close range as Spurs keeper Spencer produced a howler, completely mistiming a clearance and giving United an utter gift.
Spurs were without United loanee Grace Clinton and struggled to find the needed creative spark. They finished without managing a single shot on target and it wasn’t too surprising.
Garcia was on hand to give United their fourth, smashing an effort past Spencer after Naalsund knocked the ball back to her on the edge of the box, and from then on United would have been more concerned about their celebration plans for tonight than seeing out the rest of the game.
Apart from Bethany England heading an Amanda Nilden delivery onto the crossbar their opposition didn’t really do anything as an impressive cup run for Tottenham fizzled out.
They are aiming to break up the league’s established order and find a way to challenge Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and United, but they’re still some way off the required level.
When the dust settles for Tottenham, though, they will be able to be pleased with what they have managed this season in manager Robert Vilahamn’s first in charge. Memories of semi-professional football are still relatively recent, but their progress has been sustainable and they’re progressing towards their goals.
For the time being, there’s still some way for Spurs to go. They haven’t been able to hit the top flight in the same way United have.
To make out that United’s season has been perfect would be to skirt over the true facts. This still hasn’t been up to scratch, but winning a trophy will undoubtedly soften the blow.
United have never quite managed to prove that they are up there with the best and they definitely haven’t in the league this season, but their name is now etched on the FA Cup trophy.
The thousands of fans who lingered after full-time to enjoy their side’s trophy lift will not care one bit about the bigger picture. They have seen their team produce magic at Wembley, academy graduate Toone score a stunner, and will have memories to savour for years to come.
They have laid to rest the heartbreak of losing last year’s final to Chelsea. Everything else will be considered once the campaign ends. Now, it’s time for the celebrations to begin.