Manchester United 4-0 Tottenham: Women’s FA Cup final – as it happened (2024)

Thank you for joining me for this historic Women’s FA Cup final. Tottenham reached the final for the first time but they could not overcome Manchester United, who lifted the trophy for the first time. The result was also the biggest Women’s FA Cup win at Wembley. United will be hoping this kickstarts a trophy haul and a summer full of promising transfers. For now they can celebrate into the night. To catch up on the action read the report below. We will be back with women’s football coverage on Wednesday as Chelsea travel to Tottenham in the WSL. Until then, have a good week.

Skinner has taken a lot of criticism this season with many fans calling for him to be sacked. They were knocked out the Women’s Champions League in the qualifying stage, the Conti Cup in the group stage and are on track for their worst finish in the Women’s Super League. But he has won their first major trophy today in the Women’s FA Cup. His contract is up this summer but it is highly expected he will be in the dugout next season.

Sacking managers in football is not always the right solution. Man City’s Gareth Taylor is a good example. City had a bad spell a few seasons ago but the club stuck with him and now they are in a tight title battle with Chelsea for the league title.

Skinner added on if they are challenging the top three of chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City: “From my perspective we need experienced players and young fresh and hungry players. It is my third season this year, we need to go through a re-invention.

“Last year we came second [in the WSL] but we won nothing. It took a toll and we took it back today. We have to challenge and we have to continue to invest.”

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner told the BBC: “I felt the first half was frustration, I felt we were the better team. I thought we controlled most of their threats. I am exhausted now but this is magical.

“I mean we are not where we want to be in the league but we are history makers in the FA Cup. We want to be challenging for title but you all know adding that first piece of silverware is important for the psyche.

“That will be a decision for later, not now. Me and Mary have a good relationship. I hope she is stays.”

Of course this is not the end of the season, the Women’s Super League is yet to be decided. Bizarrely both teams in this final will have a say in the title race as they both play Chelsea, who are chasing Manchester City for the top spot. Spurs have to reset quickly as they play Chelsea on Wednesday. United then play Chelsea on the last day of the season, 18 May, and Man City have Aston Villa.

The biggest cheer comes when Lionesses Mary Earps and Ella Toone lift the trophy together. It is Earps’ first domestic club trophy. The silverware may be an element to keep the goalkeeper at the club.

Katie Zelem, an ever-loyal servant to her club, get her hands on the trophy and lifts it aloft to the cheers of their fans. Huge celebrations as their first major trophy is in the air. You get a feeling it definitely won’t be their last.

Hannah Blundell has seen some family on her way to get her medal, an emotional moment as she embraces who I think is her mum.

Now it is Manchester United make the trip up the stairs but they are bouncing up. Beaming smiles, applauding their fans. They are on their way to lifting their first major trophy. Here is the report for all the action:

Spurs will be so disappointed for their medals to be silver and not gold but they are the first Tottenham women’s side to get a medal in this competition and that is something huge for them to take away.

Tottenham are making the trip up the stairs to receive their runner-up medals. Tottenham fans who have stuck around greet them as they walk the stairs, applauding them and some supporters have beaming smiles after a hand shake from a player. Rachel Brown-Finnis made a good point in commentary, she said the next generation may be inspired to play after watching this match today.

Manchester United reformed just six years ago and have been in the Women’s Super League since 2019. They reached their first Women’s FA Cup final last year and now they have their first piece of major silverware.

Manchester United’s Rachel Williams told the BBC: “It was a shock [to start] and I was like I am going to have to do something this weekend. We knew Tottenham were going to make it hard after playing them a few weeks ago.

“We knew Tottenham would come and fly out at us. It’s Ella Toone, it’s Wembley and the girl scores rockets for fun.”

A word for Tottenham, their second half performance was not good enough but the first 45 minutes had a lot of fight. This was also their first-ever Women’s FA Cup final and, though they have been a club for 35 years, they have only been professional for five years. They are building something special under Robert Vilahamn.

Player of the Match Lucia Gai told the BBC: “I am so happy. We deserved that, it has been a tough season for us. We have fight, we are so happy in this win. It is something I cannot explain.

“It will be a good night for us.”

Could this silverware improve Manchester United’s transfer window? I think so. Mary Earps now has a taste of trophy success at United and rumours had her leaving less than six months ago. Nikita Parris has had an offer from the NWSL, will she stay? And for players contemplating a move from other clubs to United this may tip their decision in United’s direction.

The red flags waves, the ripples pf joy filter onto the pitch. Marc Skinner looks as though a weight is off of his shoulders. Leah Galton is carried onto the pitch, she is in a boot – her departure from the pitch most definitely an injury change.

Manchester United have won their first major trophy with a dominant 4-0 against Tottenham in the Women’s FA Cup final. The Red Devils had their hearts broken by Chelsea last year in the final but today is their day in the sun. Players like Mary Earps have won their first domestic trophy. The celebrations are wild.

90 + 5 min: Marc Skinner is standing back and taking in some of the atmosphere at Wembley. For all the criticism aimed at the manager for their league run this season, he will bring the first major trophy to United’s women’s side today.

90 + 3 min: The ball comes to England in the box, she has a good shot but it hits Mannion and United manage to clear.

90 + 1 min: Player of the Match has been awarded Lucia Garcia, it is not surprising. She ahs been utterly electric for United this afternoon. There will be six minutes added.

89 min: Naalsund has a punt at goal but it sails over the bar, United playing with Spurs now as a cat does a mouse.

87 min: They can’t score though, Bizet delivers but it doesn’t find any teammate.

86 min: Tottenham have a free kick and Geyse sees it out for a corner, it would be good for the Spurs fans for their side to get one back.

85 min: It is so bizarre how clubs can perform so differently in different competitions. The WSL has been so disappointing for United this season, they are likely to finish fifth which is their worst result since being promoted in 2019. But they are on the edge of the biggest FA Cup final win. Back to the final and there are just over 76,000 fans in Wembley today.

83 min: Neville delivers a good ball and tries to find England but she can’t get to it. The TV coverage are showing some Spurs fans leaving Wembley already.

81 min: Malard finds acres of space again, she has had a lot of joy on the ball since coming on. She crosses in but Spurs are able to clear.

79 min: The Tottenham performance today has not been reflective of their season. They have had some big losses this campaign but in the Women’s FA Cup they have been good, they beat Manchester City in the quarter-final. Today has just not been their day.

76 min: Malard crosses in, Naalsund taps it to Garcia who whacks it home. The Spanish international has been absolutely amazing in this game and thoroughly deserves the goals. This would be the biggest FA Cup final win ever.

The final is now definitely decided.

75 min: Zelem pings it in but it’s headed clear, Spurs now on the counter attack but Graham is dispossessed. It is popped forward and Garcia tries to get on the end of it but Spencer collects. It is getting frantic out there.

73 min: A ball through to Malard sees the French international stride after it, she gets a shot away but Spence saves. She concedes a corner in the process.

72 min: Sarina Wiegman is at Wembley watching on in the stands. Play is now back underway.

70 min: The drinks break in the second half is here.

70 min: A sloppy pass from Grant sees Garcia pick it up and United are on the hunt for their fourth. It comes into the box and there is a frantic exchange but it is Buhler who clears.

68 min: There has been a triple change with Grant, Graham and Ayane on, Thomas is among those that have come off. The forward has had no joy in front of goal.

68 min: Bizet makes a good run and Nilden crosses into the box, England gets a head to it and she rattles to woodwork. So close but so far, she has her hands on her head in disbelief.

66 min: One Spurs player who has been impressive this afternoon is Buhler, she has been so powerful in defence.

64 min: Malard wins a battle against Neville and she lays it off to Toone, she has a shot but Spencer saves. Tottenham really need to score next and soon if they want to revive their trophy hopes. It may be too late but anything could happen.

62 min: Here come United again, Malard has a good cross but it has too much on it to connect with a teammate. Marc Skinner’s side are cooking now. Performances like this one is why their league position is so baffling. United are currently fifth in the WSL.

60 min: I really feel for goalkeepers when they make errors as some abuse may head Spencer’s way now. It was definitely a huge mistake but I hope that isn’t reflected in social media hate. Spurs have a mountain to climb now.

59 min: Spencer’s clearance is handed to Garcia who taps it home. It comes to the right player as Garcia has had a sublime game so far. I cannot see Tottenham coming back now. And how daunting is this for Spurs, Parris is now on for United.

Oh my, a howler from Spencer.

57 min: Every set piece from United has been impressive with chances coming each time and this time it connects well. Williams, the top competition’s top scorer, heads home. Tottenham try and hit back immediately but England’s effort is wide.

Zelem’s delivery again is perfect and Williams heads home. That could be the final now.