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Manchester City V Tottenham Hotspurs. WSL. 08.11.24
Hatty Ruddick
In the first of three womens matches being played at the Etihad this season and the first ever WSL game to be covered on American sports channel ESPN, current league leaders Manchester City face 7th place Tottenham Hotspurs. Manchester City have only lost 2 games against their Southern rivals, winning both last season. With the Chelsea v United match now having been rescheduled, City must win this to remain at the top of the table.
Starting 11 for City: Keating, Greenwood, Roord, Hemp, Kennedy, Ouahabi, Park, Casparij, Fujino, Shaw, Hasegawa.
Starting 11 for Spurs: Spencer, Morris, Bartrip, Naz, England, Vinberg, Hunt, Bühler, Spence, Summanen, Neville.
City give away possession at the very first kick, however it is won back by Bunny Shaw who scores in 23 seconds. This is not the start that Spurs wanted.
Manchester City 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspurs.
The early goal does look to have shaken Spurs as the ball remains in the wrong side for them, however, this City team is one that likes to dominate possession, despite having struggled this season to be strategic. Park is close to making it 2-0 at 5 minutes, but it is just cleared. Hemp takes the corner and it is cleared. Fujino is close to making the second goal just over a minute later, however it is saved by Spencer. There is a fantastic display of play between 8 and 9 minutes where Jess Park and Kerstin Casparij pass the ball between each other and dominate the penalty box, the ball just misses the goal.
Spurs finally gets the ball onto their side and has strong possession 10 minutes in, however Keating stops any attempts. When City win the ball again and bring it up the pitch, Bühler does well to win the ball back, until a City throwing. England does well to stop her former International team mate Hemp in her presses on goal. Until Shaw heads the ball back into the net at 15 minutes, well on her way to a hatrick a quarter of the way into the game.
Manchester City 2 - 0 Tottenham Hotspurs.
Spurs need to bring this back. Neville has a great run with the ball up the pitch, until stopped in her tracks by Hasegawa. City are dominating this game at this early stage, and to be honest, are looking like a new team. Taylor's squad rotation of bringing in Kennedy, Fujino and Keating seems to be paying off so far in this game. When Spurs finally have their chance at 20 minutes to make an attempt, England is called offside and City once again take control. Naz goes down at 22 minutes, but is quickly back up and City take the free kick.
Spurs are having glimmers of greatness in their play, but they cannot translate this into attempts, so far Keating has had a very quiet game. City are absolutely taking control. However, Spurs are stepping up in their defence, preventing goals from Park and Casparij towards 30 minutes. They come close in their attack also with Greenwood and Kennedy clearing attempts. This is City's first real challenge tonight, however Hasegawa quickly brings the ball back up the pitch. This repeats with Vinberg going for goal at 32, but sliding and missing the ball. They go again at 35 minutes with back to backs headers, until it is headed directly into Keating's hands.
A free kick is called for City not far out of the penalty box as Hunt fouls Shaw. Greenwood takes, no attempt made. Hunt then tries to put the Londoners on the score board, but goes over the top of the goal. Soon after Shaw is denied her third as Spencer saves the goal. Spurs are showing that they are in this match finally. Fujino makes an attempt, trying to head the ball in, just going over the goal.
Young superstar Naz wins a free kick for Spurs as she is fouled by fellow Lioness Greenwood. It's a dangerous place for a free kick, taken by Hunt. The kick goes straight into Keating's hands.
The first half ends with City still very much controlling this match. Manchester City 2 - 0 Tottenham Hotspurs.
At the second half, with James-Turner coming on, Spurs are once again taking kick-off possession. While City quickly win back the ball, it feels like this half repeats itself as England goes for an attempt that is once again called offside. Hemp tries to make it 3 at 50 minutes, but Spencer just knocks it out. Ouahabi has a strong run towards goal, passing to Shaw who just misses the opportunity. City are vying for this third goal, and it feels like a matter of time before it happens. To help, Park wins a free kick for City, taken by Kennedy.
Changes for Tottenham. Raso and Thomas are on for Vinberg and England. But, not before England has another attempt just out of the box, going too high. This is Raso's first time playing against her former team since leaving in 2023.
Hemp comes so close to scoring at 57 minutes with the ball actually hitting both posts and the bar. It was a fantastic attempt. Greenwood does well seconds later to stop an attempt by Naz. The backline of Greenwood and Kennedy is working really nicely tonight. City fans will be hoping this becomes more of a regular line-up from Taylor.
The third is here, after a great level of play from City since the substitutions, Roord makes it three, after a lovely assist from Hemp.
Manchester City 3 - 0 Tottenham Hotspurs.
Shaw goes to make it four, but is blocked. Seconds later, she achieves it. Hatrick!
Manchester City 4 - 0 Tottenham Hotspurs.
As Shaw scores, Spencer is down and medics are on. During this, changes for City. Fujino off, Fowler on. Roord off for Blindkilde-Brown. Spencer is back up, as Spence comes off for Ahtinen.
Greenwood prevents what looks to be a strong attempt from Morris if it had been made at 74. In what may be a desperate chance to get on the scoreboard Ahtinen fouls Blindkilde-Brown, giving City a free kick.
Yellow card for James-Turner after a foul on Hasegawa. This gives time for changes for City. Murphy, Kelly and Coombs are on for Shaw, Hemp and Park. This tells that Taylor is confident in this performance, opening u the chance for new, younger talent in Murphy and Blindkilde-Brown to get their first Etihad minutes. Hasegawa takes her own free kick. While no attempt is made, City remain in possession.
A final change for Spurs, Grant comes on for Naz. Despite no goals, Naz has had a strong game and should be proud of her performance tonight. Fowler almost makes it 5 at 83 minutes, however Spencer saves the goal. Casparij wins what may be the final free kick of the match at 86 minutes and Keating saves a strong attempt from former club teammate Raso. City are telling Spurs that they are not conceding tonight. Just as City get the ball back down, Kelly wins another free kick after a foul from Bühler.
Murphy makes a stunning attempt, in what almost was her first Etihad goal in the final minute, but it ever so slightly misses.
5 minutes are added, with Kelly trying to go for the fifth, but slightly misses. In defence Summanen goes down and is asked to see the medics pitch side as pay continues with the away side on 10 players. She comes back on after a minute and a half, just as Raso makes a wide attempt. Summanen returns to take a corner, which is cleared by Raso's international teammate Fowler.
Overall tonight, a fantastic performance from the home side, with what will be a defining game for City in this season. It is absolutely one to remember.
Manchester City 4 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspurs, FA Cup Final 12th May 2024
Manchester United Starting 11: Earsp, Le Tissier, Blundell, Toone, Zelem (C), Galton, Riviere, Naalsund, L. Garcia, Turner, Williams.
Spurs Starting 11: Spencer, Neville, James-Turner, Bühler, Nildén, Spence, Summanen, England (C), Naz, Vinberg, Thomas.
In United's second FA Cup final in two years, a sold out Wembley brings us the much anticipated match. This is Tottenham's first final and the end to a strong campaign. Both teams have beat the likes of the WSL giants of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City to reach today. While United are the favourites, Spurs are looking to prove them wrong. Spurs are only within their fifth year at top level, so this is a strong feat for the London team.
Tottenham will be disappointed to not be able to play star of the campaign Grace Clinton due to her being on loan from opponents United. However, former Red Devil Thomas will be able to provide valuable insight into the Northern team. It will be a tough match with it being 28 degrees in London today, as well as being a final. But it looks to be an interesting game.
First Half
Both teams started with a 4-3-4 lineup. Just 19 seconds in, Martha Thomas took a knock but swiftly got back up. Vinberg initiated the attempts at 1 minute in, providing an early test for the Northerners' defence. Though a decent attempt, it ultimately missed.
Galton sought revenge with an attempt a minute later, saved by Spencer, with both players needing medical attention. Despite this, they continued, both rising for Zelem's corner, which nearly turned into a goal with Williams almost converting.
At the 6-minute mark, while Spurs appeared promising, United showcased their defensive prowess, halting Spurs in their tracks. Jessica Naz impressed, possibly vying for a Senior Lioness call-up now she is 23.
Controversy arose at 10 minutes when Vinberg attempted a goal, but ultimately, the ball went out of play from Le Tissier. The referee's decision was a goal kick, though some argued it should have been a corner.
Zelem's corner at 12 minutes saw Williams with another chance, but she headed wide. Williams seemed eager for a goal, and it appeared imminent.
Vinberg mirrored Williams' efforts, going high after a fantastic run forward and an almost-assist from Neville. Both teams played strongly, with no obvious errors and equal chances. They seemed solely focused on the FA Cup rather than the WSL.
Summanen challenged Turner and Garcia's attempt at goal off Zelem's corner. Both teams demonstrated quick and strategic play despite the heat.
After a quick drink break, Williams and Toone attempted again, but it was too high. Shortly after, Jessica Naz was struck in the head, leading to a free kick and an offside goal attempt for Spurs.
United's focus waned as Tottenham gained confidence. This was evident when United lost another chance at goal, thwarted by strong defending from Bühler.
United won a chance from a tackle by Beth England, leading to a free kick. Naz then conceded a corner, offering Tottenham another opportunity, which was blocked on the goal line by Thomas.
Toone repeated the pattern, sweeping the ball wide. Perhaps the pressure of the final affected her decision-making.
Spurs began squandering chances, unable to finish their execution. Both teams lacked finishing finesse.
In the last 40 seconds of the half, Toone found the back of the net for United, a fantastic goal from the Manchester-born player. It was excellent play from Zelem, through Galton, leading to Toone's goal.
Half-time: United 1 - 0 Tottenham.
Second half
The second half kicked off with early attempts from Spurs, but once again, their efforts lacked the finishing touch. However, their momentum was disrupted when Galton was substituted off due to a suspected injury in the first half, with Malard entering the fray.
Meanwhile, Garcia showcased her endurance with numerous lengthy runs for United, yet these exertions failed to translate into scoring opportunities. Referee decisions came under scrutiny as Le Tissier's challenge on Naz went unpunished, sparking frustration among the Spurs camp. Nevertheless, Garcia earned a free kick shortly after, following a trip by Nilden.
Spurs made a double substitution, with Vinberg and Naz making way for Bizet and Wang. It was United, though, who capitalised on a free kick, as Williams found the back of the net, extending their lead to 2-0. The timing of this goal left Spurs rueing their recent changes.
However, Spurs responded swiftly, with England's attempt narrowly missing the target. Yet, United pressed on relentlessly, with Garcia netting her second goal of the match, putting United comfortably ahead at 3-0.
A substitution saw Williams make way for Parris, as United maintained their offensive pressure. Nielden thwarted further United attacks, but Toone continued to probe for a second goal. Spurs' defence improved as the game progressed, denying United further opportunities.
At the 65th minute mark, Spurs came agonisingly close to scoring, with England's header striking the post. A triple substitution for Spurs injected fresh energy into their lineup, but Mallard's attempt was denied by Spencer, earning United a corner.
Garcia completed her goal, securing a convincing 4-0 lead for United. Spurs' defensive lapses allowed Garcia to capitalise, sealing United's dominance.
In the dying moments, Tottenham sought a consolation goal from an 85th-minute corner, but their efforts fell short. Despite the defeat, reaching the final marked a significant achievement for the emerging Spurs side, though the loss undoubtedly stung.
Mary Earps MBE celebrated a clean sheet, capping off a memorable week for the United goalkeeper. Garcia's outstanding performance earned her the title of Player of the Match.
As the final whistle blew, United emerged triumphant, their superiority evident in a well-deserved 4-0 victory. The match highlighted United's tactical prowess and clinical finishing, affirming their status as deserving champions.
The contrasting fortunes of both teams reflected the stark realities of top-flight women's football. United's experience and strategic set pieces proved decisive, underscoring the significance of their victory.
Final Score: Manchester United Women's FC 4 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur
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