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Rampant United are too strong


Manchester United 4 (Toone 45, Williams 54, Garcia 56,74)  

Tottenham Hotspur 0

att: 76,082; at Wembley Stadium

Manchester United lifted the Adobe Women's FA Cup for the first time in their history after a commanding victory over Final debutants Tottenham Hotspur in warm conditions at Wembley Stadium.


Marc Skinner's side never looked back after taking the lead through a brilliant Ella Toone goal on the stroke of half time and, with captain Katie Zelem having an outstanding match in the centre of midfield, sewed up the win after the break with Lucia Garcia netting two of the goals.


Matilda Vinberg sent a shot over the bar for Tottenham in the opening moments but a big chance fell to United on four minutes, Katie Zelem's corner picking out Rachel Williams at the far post but the striker sent her header over the bar.



























Williams headed just wide from another pinpoint Zelem corner and United continued to have the better of the chances, a timely intervention from Vinberg saw her clear as Lucia Garcia looked poised to score, and yet another corner from Zelem picked out Millie Turner whose goalbound header was blocked in front of goal by Martha Thomas.


Toone hooked a shot just wide from 15 yards after the ball had rebounded to her inside the area and Lisa Naalsund miscued an effort from the edge of the box but United finally got their reward as the game went into first half injury time.


Toone picked up possession and ran at the Tottenham defence, before curling a delightful 25-yard shot over the diving Becky Spencer and into the top corner.


United were forced into an early substitution in the second half with Leah Galton, who had been injured quite early on, being replaced by Melvine Malard but, hot on the heels of a double change from Spurs, they took the firmest of grips on the game.


Zelem drilled a free kick into the area from near the touchline and Williams was able to steer a downward header just inside the far post to double their lead.


Spurs tried to respond with Beth England firing a shot over the bar but disaster was to strike for her side a minute later; Spencer scuffed a pass which been intended for a team mate and Lucia Garcia was left with the simplest of tasks to slot into the empty net and make it three.


It was not Spurs' day and this was summed up when Celin Bizet made a great weaving run and cross for England to thump a header against the bar and Thomas was just unable to divert the rebound home.


Back came United with a delightful through ball by Zelem releasing Malard on goal but Spencer was able to make up for her earlier error by saving at her near post.


United were not finished though and after Naalsund had teed her up from a deflected Malard cross, Garcia made no mistake by burying her shot from 12 yards and complete her double on the day.


United were able to make a triple substitution after this and there were no more clear opportunites from this point, meaning that celebrations could soon start on a historic day for their club.


Manchester United: Mary Earps, Maya Le Tissier, Hannah Blundell, Ella Toone (sub Hinata Miyazawa 76mins), Katie Zelem, Leah Galton (sub Melvine Malard 49mins), Jayde Riviere (sub Aoife Mannion 76mins), Lisa Naalsund, Lucia Garcia (sub Geyse Da Silva Ferreira 76mins), Millie Turner, Rachel Williams (sub Nikita Parris 57mins). Subs not used: Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Irene Guerrera, Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans.


Tottenham Hotspur: Becky Spencer, Amy James-Turner, Amanda Nilden (sub Charlotte Grant 67mins), Jessica Naz (sub Celin Bizet 53mins), Beth England, Matilda Vinberg (sub Shuang Wang 53mins), Martha Thomas (sub Kit Graham 67mins), Luana Buhler, Drew Spence, Eveliina Summanen (sub Rosella Ayane 71mins), Ashleigh Neville. Subs not used: Barbara Votikova, Molly Bartrip, Ramana Petzelberger, Celin Bizet, Olga Ahtinen.  






Maya Le Tissier challenges Jessica Naz (Photos courtesy of www.jamesprickett.co.uk).