LONDON – There's only one player you want on your side heading into a winner-take-all game that will define your season, and that's Ella Toone. Once the Manchester United striker broke the deadlock in Sunday's FA Cup final on the stroke of half-time with a stunning goal, the floodgates opened and there was nothing Tottenham Hotspur could do as United got the first important silver medal in the history of the club. with a comfortable 4-0 victory at Wembley.
No player loves the big stage as much as Toone. The England international has a habit of shining in the most difficult matches and never seems fazed by the occasion. After scoring in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals, the 2023 World Cup semi-final and the Euro 2022 final, she became the only player (male or female) to score in all three knockout rounds of a major tournament. .
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“There's a great story for Tooney,” United manager Marc Skinner said after the cup final success. “Iconic moment; iconic player; iconic club. You forget about those little stories, the Ella Toone in the iconic Manchester United number 7. Ella feels special.”
Fans' adoration of Toone has always been clear and a sea of number 7 shirts cascaded down Wembley Way before the game. He has been a crucial part of the United team since he arrived from rival Manchester City in 2018, with the team's attacks centered on the midfielder. A lifelong United fan, scoring the team's first goal in an FA Cup final meant the world and her wonder goal, as she weaved around Tottenham defenders before unleashing a curling shot into the top corner, was worthy of the occasion.
“I've been practicing every day in training, those kind of shots from outside the box, the girls will tell you,” Toone told the BBC. “As soon as I hit it, I felt like one of them knew it was going in. For us it was a great moment to score, just before half-time, it's always good to get a goal at that moment and get there.” In the second half we were left with a goal advantage. “Then as soon as the second one came in, we felt comfortable.”
Until then, the first half had been fairly even, with both sides having a few chances. But when Toone unleashed his rocket, the wheels were set in motion. United were composed, dominant and absolutely ruthless in front of goal; Tottenham, who had sloppy possession throughout, were soon involved, overwhelmed by the biggest game in their history.
United ended the game with two goals in three minutes of the second half. Striker Rachel Williams is no stranger to finding the back of the net and she headed in a free kick in the 54th minute, before Lucía García took advantage of a terrible clearance from goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer to score into the empty net. A fourth from García with 15 minutes remaining crowned the Spaniard's Man of the Match performance, and there was no turning back for Spurs as the fight had long since been taken from them.
Last season, Toone had tears in his eyes as he watched Chelsea lift the trophy after a 1-0 defeat with his runners-up medal. But this year no one received a bigger ovation when they were presented with the trophy. Maybe you have to lose at Wembley before you can win at Wembley.
“It feels amazing,” Toone said. “We came here last year and saw what it takes to win an FA Cup. We fell short then, and we knew that this time we were hungrier than ever to get a result. Today we put in a great performance and I'm excited. We managed to get the victory.
“I wish I could play here every week! It's a great stadium, the home of football, and it's a place where every young player dreams of playing. I've managed to do it several times and score good goals.” “But I love it and playing in front of the fans to have all my family and friends here meant a lot too.”
This final did seem different from previous years. A departure from the norm of Chelsea's three-year dominance, United have been in crisis mode, still on course to finish the season in their lowest position in the WSL, but the win has relieved some of the pressure. Picking up an FA Cup trophy won't paper over the obvious cracks, but his first piece of silverware since winning promotion in 2019 will surely buy Skinner some time and could even prove to new owner Ineos that he deserves to remain in his position. the next season. .
Spurs, who were playing in the third tier less than 10 years ago and recently unveiled a new manager and identity in September, have a foundation to build on. Although they won't feel great at the moment, at least they have their Wembley experience behind them.
It certainly worked for United and, for a team that has struggled to reach the final, let alone win titles and be in the top four, it is a statement of intent. Toone will be keen to ensure this is the first of many great occasions where she can shine.
