PLAY THAT TOONE
Man Utd 4 Tottenham 0: Ella Toone’s stunning strike sparks Red Devils rout as they win first ever Women’s FA Cup final
There was a notable absence in the stands
RACHEL WILLIAMS’ bulldozing bullet header sent Manchester United fans into a frenzy as her team charged to Women’s FA Cup glory.
The veteran striker’s first cup final goal in 12 years helped seal a 4-0 Red Devils’ thrashing of her former club Tottenham, with United winning the trophy for the first time ever.
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The Manchester giants’ historic victory saw them become the first team besides Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City to triumph in more than decade.
The last time none of the WSL juggernaut won the trophy was back in 2012 when Williams’ old club Birmingham dispatched Chelsea.
Club shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe may have left Man United’s travelling fans miffed by snubbing the Wembley showdown in favour of watching the club’s men’s team take on Arsenal at Old Trafford.
His decision not to travel down to Wembley, with Avram Glazer seen at the stadium instead, seemed baffling given the game’s historic nature.
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Unlike Ratcliffe, a few of Tottenham’s top brass and club legends joined the 67,082-strong crowd at a sun-soaked Wembley.
Club icons Ozzie Ardiles and Ricky Villa were spotted in the stands alongside Spurs chief executive Daniel Levy.
And while the scoreline made for a disappointing afternoon for their side, neutral observers will have been entertained by the four-goal flurry.
In a season in which Marc Skinner has come under pressure from United fans, today’s match provided the chance to halt calls for his head from some supporters.
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The head coach opted to start veteran Williams in a front three which is also comprised of Leah Galton and Lucia Garcia.
Ahead of the game retired Lioness legend Ellen spoke of one of the top tier’s longest serving players bringing a dominance in the box and the ability to sets the tone in the team’s press.
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And she certainly rewarded Skinner’s faith in her.
In a fairly balanced first-half with Tottenham initially looking solid in defence, the WSL golden oldie showed glimpses of her aerial threat.
The former Spurs striker headed over the bar in the fourth minute before sending another header wide eight minutes later.
Spurs had little joy in the final third early on with Martha Thomas head over in the 10th minute.
And their resistance was broken at the other end when Ella Toone bagged a trademark Wembley wonder goal walloping in off her right boot in first half stoppage time from the edge of the penalty box.
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Things went from bad to worse for Robert Vilahamn’s side in the second half with United netting twice in three minutes.
First with Williams outleapping Spurs’ back line to head from Katie Zelem’s free-kick.
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And then when Lucia Garcia punished a dodgy back pass from Spurs keeper Becky Spencer to slot into an empty net.
And the Spaniard wrapped up a hefty trophy-winning victory for United to whip in a late strike following Melvine Malard’s assist.
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