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.
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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.
Full time: Manchester United 4-0 Tottenham
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.
GOAL! Manchester United 4-0 Tottenham (Garcia, 75)
The final is now definitely decided.
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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.
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GOAL! Manchester United 3-0 Tottenham (Garcia, 57)
Oh my, a howler from Spencer.
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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.
GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham (Williams, 55)
Zelem’s delivery again is perfect and Williams heads home. That could be the final now.
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54 min: Nilden trips Garcia and United have a free kick. Before it is taken Spurs make some changes with Vinberg and Naz off for Wang and Bizet.
53 min: Garcia has a lightning run but Buhler does so well to track back and dispossess her. Spurs come forward but the chance is initially repelled. Naz gets on it shortly after and looks to be fouled by Le Tissier but nothing is given.
“I’m watching the FA Cup on TV in New Zealand (as well as checking in on your comments in the Guardian). It’s close to 3am Monday morning over here,” Ingrid Kamstra emailed.
“BTW, with a pitch-side temperature of at least 28 degrees, why on earth is Marc Skinner wearing a black turtleneck sweater?!!!! Superstition (ie did he wear it all season or in previous FA games)? He’s going to melt in a huge, stinky puddle of sweat by the end of this game.”
Yes he does traditionally wear a turtleneck in big games and so he is sticking with it. He must be so hot!
51 min: At the moment Spurs’ touches in the final third are so rushed, they need some composure when they have their chances to throw some punches. United make their first change with Galton off for Malard. Galton is in tears as she comes off, maybe that was an injury change rather than a tactical one.
49 min: Spurs build but Thomas finds herself with no space, she does well to win a throw in. In the resulting attack though Buhler has a foul on Williams and the chance is gone.
47 min: Both teams are bang up for this is the second half, Spurs have not shrunk. Remember Tottenham have come back to win games nine times this season after conceding first.
Back underway! Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham
So can United see this out? Or will Spurs fight back? All to come.
I have re-watched the goal about five times and I think it is actually Lucia Garcia who holds the defender back. I am not convinced the defender, which I think is Buhler, would have been able to stop Toone’s rocket but you never know.
Maybe there was more to that Williams potential foul:
Spurs really not happy about that goal. Ref has booked someone, either Thomas or England, for complaining in the aftermath, and there are still some conversations as the players leave the pitch
— Ameé Ruszkai (@ameeruszkai) May 12, 2024
Björn Isaksson emailed and said: “I am a bit confused, I think it was Williams that actually held the nearest Spurs defender so that she could not close down Toone. Any idea why it did not resulted in a freekick for Spurs? For me that just can not be correct.”
There was definite contact between the two but it isn’t as much for it to be a foul in my opinion. There is VAR in operation so if something was untoward they would have intervened.
The goal was Ella Toone’s fourth in seven Wembley appearances. Her first was in the Euros final. Her second the Finalissima against Brazil. Her third a late winner against the Netherlands. Her fourth in the Women’s FA Cup final. A big game player.
Robyn Cowen commentating on this goal takes me back to the Euros final, it was her voice which spoke BBC viewers through that game.
TOONEY, THAT'S UNBELIEVABLE 😱🤯
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) May 12, 2024
The @ManUtdWomen star with an incredible long-range hit 😮💨#AdobeWomensFACup pic.twitter.com/t4XarP88JZ
Half-time: Manchester United 0-0 Tottenham
Manchester United had the better chances and the dam was eventually broken by Ella Toone. It was an electric goal but Tottenham are still in this. All to play for.
45 + 3 min: Toone takes the ball calmly and evades a Summanen tackle, she rockets it from outside the area and it’s in. What a goal. She loves Wembley.
GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham (Toone, 45 + 2)
Oh my word.
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45 + 1 min: United have two attempts at goal but both are blocked, it then comes to Le Tissier but her long range effort is miles over the bar. There will be three minutes added.
45 min: Blundell has marked Naz so well so far this afternoon. Naz is so fast and usually comes up with the goods but she has been unable to really put her stamp on the game so far because of Blundell’s defensive work. Spurs get in a good position again and Vinberg crosses but it is just beyond Thomas, if they get that cleanly to Thomas or England they could find a goal.
43 min: Toone races onto a loose ball but Spurs keep a level head, swarm her and she is dispossessed. The game has slowed slightly in tempo, it may have something to do with the heat or could be both sides don’t want to concede late in this first half.
41 min: Karen Asad has emailed and said: “I think missing Alessia Russo did a real damage to United’s prospects for this season. Just hope they don’t repeat it with Earps; she is simply cannot be allowed to leave.”
Maybe in the WSL but in the Women’s FA Cup Manchester United have done just fine without Alessia Russo. I think if they lost Mary Earps it would be a huge blow, she is a player who keeps them in games. Back to the final and Spurs are on the attack here, Naz did so well to keep the play going but eventually United are easily able to dispossess and stop the danger.
39 min: Tottenham are camped in their own half here and they are struggling to get front foot ball at the moment. United pick it up and Blundell has a shot blocked, it comes to Toone who spins towards goal but it is wide.
37 min: Naz cannot believe she hasn’t been given a free kick, she is fouled and the TV coverage picks up her shout of “hey” but nothing is given. United come forward and Riviere gets a shot but it’s over the bar. Marc Skinner’s side are getting closer.
35 min: Zelem’s delivery is impeccable and it is directed toward goal but Thomas has a goal line clearance. Tottenham’s defence stepping up today. There were claims from United of a handball from Spence but nothing has been given. VAR is in operation.
34 min: Zelem plays it short to Toone, she is well marked by Naz but she concedes a corner.
33 min: United have a free kick with Le Tissier fouled but it is deep in their own half and so they will need to build from deep. A huge pass from Earps gets them in the right area and Le Tissier wins another free kick, this time from an England foul. The set piece is in a great position.
32 min: Both clubs have had their chances in this final but both are missing the clinical edge. United have definitely had the more promising of efforts, particularly through Williams, but nothing to break the deadlock yet. United have the latest chance with a great pass from Turner to Galton, she gets it to Williams but Buhler defends well to clear.
30 min: Galton is dispossessed by James-Turner as this final continues to be a pinball in terms of chances and possession. Spurs come forward here, Vinberg pops it in but the pass is behind Thomas and so the chance is gone.
28 min: Tottenham have a free kick with a high boot on Naz, Summanen takes the set piece and it it headed toward goal but it doesn’t have enough on it to trouble Earps.
26 min: Garcia makes a great run and cross into the box, Williams heads it down to Toone but her effort is over the bar. Toone has scored three goals in her last six appearances at Wembley.
25 min: Play is now back underway.
24 min: United have a loose pass and Summanen pops the long ball forward but it has too much on it so Earps can collect. There is a drinks break here now, pitch side temperature is 28 degrees.
22 min: Chants of “come on you Spurs” reverberates around Wembley as United look to attack once again. The high press from Tottenham forces them back to Earps.
20 min: Zelem delivers well again, Turner heads it down away from Spencer. It comes to Garcia but Summanen puts in an amazing challenge to see the ball over and out for a goal kick. Without that superb defence the deadlock would have been broken.
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19 min: United having a patient build-up with multiple passes between their backline. Eventually they get it forward, a great long range pass from Galton gets them into the final third and United win yet another corner.
18 min: Spurs are slowly edging up the pitch with a series of throw ins but the United defence is tight to them and it forces them backwards. It comes to James-Turner, who losses out to Williams but Neville is able to win it back to save the club’s blushes.
16 min: Spurs work it really well on the counter, an expert cross from Neville after a cracking run but Vinberg’s header is over the bar. Such a tasty final!
14 min: Zelem is standing over the set piece again, the delivery from the captain is pinpoint again – she is so good on a corner ball. It is Williams who finds the ball again but her header this time is wide. She is averaging a goal every 33 minutes in this competition so far this season.
13 min: Riviere is absolutely everywhere at the moment for United, she has had the most impact for her club so far. She launches United’s latest attack and it ends with a corner for the reds.
12 min: United wanted a free kick for a foul on Riviere but the referee says play on, The cross comes in to Thomas but Le Tissier sees it out. The corner is not given though and Earps has a goal kick. A really solid start from both teams in this final.
10 min: Some really good Tottenham defence as United cross it into the box twice but the London club calmly clear it. United keep coming and there is a battle between Vilden and Garcia but the Spain star is offside.
8 min: England is being swarmed when on the ball and she is muscled off as Spurs look to put together another attack. Riviere looks to clear and Naz presses high but gives away a foul, United clear.
6 min: Both players are back to their feet, a really good sign for both clubs. United have a corner as Spencer saw it off with that save. Zelem takes it and the delivery is beautiful, Williams rises and gets a head to it but it’s over the bar. A hugely powerful effort but just off target.
David Wall has emailed and said: “Is starting Williams instead of Parris actually a pretty smart decision from Skinner, a recognition of conditions? The thought would surely be to let Rachael Williams do the donkey work against the Spurs defence for the first 50-60 minutes, run them around while people still have a bit of energy, etc. Then, when people are getting tired from the heat, the pitch, and the draining effect of the occasion, you bring on your younger, quicker players, like Parris, Malard, and Geyse, to exploit that tiredness.
“Of course that’ll only pay off and seem smart if the game is still in balance by that point. But it’s not as though Williams isn’t an effective centre-forward in her own right anyway. “
That’s not a bad theory and probably plays a part but I think Skinner is also reflecting on the semi-final. Williams performed well there and is the top-scorer in the competition.
4 min: Vinberg gets in a good position and she gets a shot away but it is over the bar, a bright start from Spurs. It’s end-to-end as Manchester United hit back and Galton have an effort but Spencer comes out and defends so well. She has hurt herself in the process, Galton also down.
2 min: Thomas has taken an early knock from Le Tissier but she is okay to continue. A good battle that will be today.
Kick-off! Manchester United 0-0 Tottenham
Here we go. History awaits one of these teams.
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The Spurs fans have been unbelievably loud since the players have emerged, they are the ones being heard at Wembley so far.
The players are out on the pitch and Jim Denvir is there to watch them come out the tunnel. He has emailed and said: “My new wife and I are at Wembley as the last stop on our honeymoon, which took in Rome, the Cinque Terre, Milan, Zurich, Paris (for an hour) and then London.
“Having grown up a Spurs fan in Enfield in the 1980s and lived the last quarter century in West Virginia, hearing Spurs co-opting “Take me home, United Roads” as “Take me home, Tottenham Roads”, itself of course co-opted from the West Virginia state song, was perhaps the most bizarre, and perhaps unifying moment. The scenes here are incredible, so much excitement, and the stadium is starting to fill.”
Congratulations Jim! I hope you enjoy the final.
Our weekly free women’s football newsletter, Moving the Goalposts, focuses on the final and looks specifically on Tottenham’s journey to the biggest stage, take a read:
Do you want to know what the fans are thinking? Well Suzy Wrack has you covered, have a read of the piece all about fan’s anticipating what will happen in this final at a sold-out Wembley:
“That experience is like such a massive driver,” says Aoife Mannion of the 2023 Women’s FA Cup final. “The fact that we weren’t able to win the final last year just gives us all the more impetus and makes us so hungry to try to win.” Read the full interview:
I’d love to hear from you. This week has been abuzz about northern lights sightings, I saw them and I’m in Bath, and so I was wondering what other wonders of the world have you seen? Let me know and of course I also want to hear your thoughts on the final. Get in touch via email or X (@rendellx).
Manchester United boss Marc Skinner is not under-estimating their opponent’s in today’s final. “You would be a fool to go in and feel super confident that you will walk this final,” he said. “Tottenham are a very, very good team. On their day, they can beat anyone in this league.
“We’re pretty humble people and Tottenham deserve to be in the final and not have the underdog status. If you get to a final, you deserve to be in the final.”
Tottenham Hotspur manager Robert Vilahamn says Wembley not only meets a club dream but his own personally too. “I remember as a kid, that stadium was the biggest one I knew and so it was my dream to get there one day,” he said.
“I’ve been working pretty much for 30 years to get to this stadium, so it’s more like enjoying the ride. The feelings I get with that is of course a mixture of stress and happiness.
“But I’m more looking forward to the game and hopefully we will win. If we lose I will be very upset but I know a few weeks after that I will still be very proud of what we have done, so it’s a good feeling.”
There will be a drinks break in each half of the final today because the temperature at Wembley is above 27 degrees.
I would like to have witnessed Nikita Parris’ reaction to starting from the bench for this FA Cup final. Reports suggest she turned down big money, around £1 million, from an American club in order to play at Wembley today.
Some fans are frustrated she is on the bench but remember she, Geyse and Malard were also on the bench in the semi-final against Chelsea. It worked out that day, will the risk pay off again?
I think we’ve seen this film before and Liverpool didn’t like the ending. Tottenham have chosen to wear white suits to Wembley, reminiscent of the infamous suits worn by the Liverpool men’s team in the 1996 cup final which they lost 1-0 to Manchester United. A strange decision to emulate losers or is a pure coincidence?
We're in the building 👋@TumiTravel 🧳 pic.twitter.com/rROFuIkB3I
— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) May 12, 2024
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The team news is here. Nikita Parris, Melvine Malard and Geyse all start from the bench for United. Rachel Williams starts.
Manchester United:
🔴⚪️⚫️ UNITED! 🔴⚪️⚫️#MUWomen || #WomensFACup
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) May 12, 2024
There are no surprises from Tottenham with the likes of Martha Thomas and BEth England starting.
Tottenham:
OUR FA CUP FINAL LINE-UP 📋
— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) May 12, 2024
COYS 🤍 pic.twitter.com/km9WxqEZwU
You can’t speak about stars in the Manchester United team without speaking about goalkeeper Mary Earps. Keepers are sometimes overlooked but the England number one continually performs at a high level for her club. She came up with some magnificent saves in the semi to clinch the win over Chelsea and there’s no doubt she will have a say in this final.
Manchester United may as a club have more experience on this stage but Tottenham do have players who have been here before. And one star who has been on the stage multiple times is Beth England. She has won two Women’s FA Cups with Chelsea. She has also more than proven able to score under pressure so she will be one star United will have to keep quiet.
Tottenham may not be able to play Grace Clinton but they do have a former Manchester United player in their ranks who is in top form: Martha Thomas. She joined Spurs last summer and her impact at the club has been instantaneous. She is likely to start today, alongside Beth England, and they will be looking to cause an upset at Wembley.
Starting Nikita Parris may seem like a no-brainer, she is among the top-scorers after all. But manager Marc Skinner did not start her in the semi-final against Chelsea. opting for Rachel Williams instead. It turned out to be the correct selection call as Williams scored the winner which saw her rise to become the competition’s top-scorer. Either way United have a quality player up front, but which will Skinner pick? All will be revealed soon.
So who is favourite in this final? I think both clubs have a good chance of clinching the trophy but it will be Manchester United who have the edge before kick-off. The club have been in the final before and so they have the experience. But Spurs will be capable of putting the cat among the pigeons and they have done so already this season in the competition. They knocked out Manchester City in the quarter-final.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to one of the biggest games of the season, the Women’s FA Cup final. No matter the result this afternoon we will witness history as neither of these teams have won this trophy before.
This is also Tottenham’s first time in the Women’s FA Cup final. Their opponents Manchester United are on the biggest stage for the second time, their first time in the final was in 2023 but they lost 1-0 to Chelsea.
Marc Skinner’s side banished the Chelsea curse when they beat them for the first time in the semi-final and now they will look to add their first silverware to the club since their Championship win in 2019. Tottenham, meanwhile, are seeking their first trophy since 2017 where they were Championship play-off winners.
It is a huge game and the team news will be crucial for this one. Remember Grace Clinton cannot play in the final for Tottenham as she is not allowed to compete against her parent club United. It is a blow for Spurs, Clinton has been impressive in her loan spell and has been nominated for Women’s Super League player of the season.
United’s team news will also be interesting. Will Skinner start Nikita Parris? Or will he opt for another of his star forwards? The team news will be announced an hour before kick-off so stay tuned. We will look at some star players now. Kick-off coming at 2.30pm BST.
