Man Utd 4-0 Tottenham: Player ratings as United cruise to Women's FA Cup glory

Manchester United made amends or last year’s FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea as they overcame Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 in this season’s showpiece at Wembley.

Marc Skinner’s side became the first new winner of the competition since Manchester City’s first triumph in 2017. Fuelled by the heartbreak suffered last term, Ella Toone, Lucia Garcia and Rachel Williams stepped up to ensure the Red Devils didn’t walk away empty handed this time around.

How the game unfolded

United arrived at Wembley with a vengeance and that showed as they started the game with more intensity and impetus.

Katie Zelem’s corners proved to be the Red Devils’ biggest threat in the early exchanges. Twice Williams came close to heading them in front, as well as Millie Turner and Garcia.

Spurs looked somewhat dangerous when they got on the ball themselves, but it was often the final ball that let Robert Vilahamn’s side down in the first half. Martha Thomas was among those to carve out a half chance, but nothing that really tested Mary Earps in the United goal.

It took a moment of brilliance from Toone on the brink of half-time to break the deadlock. As she did against Leicester a few weeks ago in the league, the England star drove with the ball in midfield and unleashed a rocket in the top corner.

The goals kept flowing for United in the second half. First Williams finally had her moment as she headed home from a Zelem free-kick.

Spurs goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer then had a moment to forget as she played the ball to Garcia in her own box and the United forward made no mistake from close range.

Tottenham’s chance to spark a comeback came and went with a little over 20 minutes left to play as Bethany England’s header rattled the crossbar and the resulting loose ball wasn’t converted.

Garcia added a fourth late on to round off a clever move sparked by Melvine Malard. The game was arguably already won, but it took away any ounce of hope for the Lilywhites.

Man Utd player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Mary Earps - 7/10 - Was a spectator for most of the game as Spurs barely threatened. 

RB: Hannah Blundell - 7/10 - Won the ball back to start the move for Toone’s opener. Did well to keep Jess Naz quiet.

CB: Maya Le Tissier - 8/10 - Extremely strong in her defensive duels, including one against Martha Thomas in the first half which prevented a dangerous opportunity for Spurs.

CB: Millie Turner - 7/10 - Could have got on the scoresheet in the first half but was denied by a goal line clearance. Had little amounts to do defensively second half as her side were in firm control.

LB: Jayde Riviere - 7/10 - Gave up a little too much space to Vinberg in the first-half but looked far more comfortable after the break as United added to their goal tally.

CM: Katie Zelem - 8/10 - Her set-piece delivery caused Spurs all sorts of problems as she consistently picked out her teammates to cause havoc in the opposition box. Deserved assist for United’s second.

CM: Lisa Naalsund - 8/10 - Got the assist for Toone’s opener and helped control the midfield alongside Zelem. Later got the assist for Garcia’s second and United’s fourth.

RM: Lucia Garcia - 9/10 - Pressed high and with intensity. Chased everything down and was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet in the first half. Pressure paid off second half when she capitalised on a mistake from Spencer in the Spurs net to score the third, before later scoring the fourth.

AM: Ella Toone - 8/10 - Loves a goal at Wembley. Struggled to get into the game at times in the first half but stepped up with an outrageous strike to break the deadlock. 

LM: Leah Galton - 7/10 - Had an early opportunity in the opening minute that resulted in a collision with Spencer. Didn’t look quite right after that and was substituted minutes into the second-half and was in tears as she left the pitch.

ST: Rachel Williams - 8/10 - Found herself in the right position at corners but missed clear-cut chances you’d expect her to score. Got the second, so more than made amends.

Substitutes

SUB: Melvine Malard (49' for Leah Galton) - 7/10 - Forced a good save from Spencer late on. Used her pace and power well.

SUB: Nikita Parris (58' for Rachel Williams) - 7/10

SUB: Geyse (77' for Lucia Garcia) - 7/10

SUB: Aoife Mannion (77' for Jayde Riviere) - 7/10

SUB: Hinata Miyazawa (77' for Ella Toone) - 7/10

Subs not used: Irene Guerrero, Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans, Phallon Tullis-Joyce

Manager

Marc Skinner - 8/10 - Used his bench well. Starting Rachel Williams was a correct decision as she caused Tottenham huge problems from set pieces. Him and his side delivered on the big stage.

Tottenham player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Rebecca Spencer - 3/10 - Not a lot she could have done for Toone’s opener. Gifted United their third with an uncharacteristic mistake.

RB: Ashleigh Neville - 4/10 - One or two dangerous crosses but, like most of her teammates, struggled to impose any authority on the game.

CB: Amy James-Turner - 4/10 - Dawdled on the ball in the first half and was closed down by Williams. Was fortunate the ball landed at a white shirt as United would have been clean through.

CB: Luana Buhler - 4/10 - Tough afternoon defensively. Was held off and out-muscled by Williams so couldn’t get close to Toone for the opener.

LB: Amanda Nilden - 5/10 - Almost set up a goal for England as a mere consolation but the effort struck the bar. Combined well with Vinberg in the first half but her  influence faded as United ran away with it.

CM: Drew Spence - 4/10 - Struggled a bit in midfield as United dominated. Few wayward passes when counter-attacks were on. Quiet game on the whole. 

CM: Eveliina Summanen - 5/10 - A goal-saving block to deny Garcia in the first-half. Put herself about but United’s midfield were far superior on the day.

RM: Jess Naz - 4/10 - Looked frustrated in the first-half. Has pace to burn but was often isolated at times with little support in forward areas. Subbed early in the second-half.

AM: Martha Thomas - 5/10 - Another Spurs player to make a goal-saving block. Could’ve got on the scoresheet herself but otherwise, it was a quiet game from the former United player.

LM: Matilda Vinberg - 5/10 - Picked up plenty of space down the left when Riviere pushed forward. Final ball just wasn’t there in the first-half

ST: Bethany England - 5/10 - Some loose and risky passes in the first half, giving United possession and inviting more pressure on her team. Headed onto the crossbar in what was Spurs’ best chance of the game.

Substitutes

SUB: Celine Bizet (54' for Jess Naz) - 5/10

SUB: Wang Shuang (54' for Matilda Vinberg) - 5/10

SUB: Charlotte Grant (68' for Amanda Nilden) - 5/10

SUB: Kit Graham (68' for Eveliina Summanen) - 4/10

SUB: Rosella Ayane (68' for Martha Thomas) - 5/10

Subs not used: Barbora Votikova, Molly Bartrip, Ramona Petzelberger, Olga Ahtinen

Manager

Robert Vilahamn - 4/10 - His side undone by a world class strike from Toone and couldn’t be at fault for a huge goalkeeper error. However, making substitutions when his side are defending a set piece was questionable.

Player of the match - Lucia Garcia (Manchester United)

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