5 things we learned from Man Utd’s Women’s FA Cup triumph over Tottenham

After being on the losing end of a Women’s FA Cup final 12 months ago, Manchester United were determined to not suffer the same fate again.

Against a side that have never beaten them before in Tottenham Hotspur, the odds were heavily in the Red Devils’ favour heading into Sunday’s showdown at Wembley Stadium. However, after a 2-2 draw in the Women’s Super League only a couple of weeks ago, Spurs had every right to believe they could cause an upset on the day.

United, though, showed their class and professionalism. Ella Toone, Rachel Williams and Lucia Garcia fired Marc Skinner’s side to victory as they became history makers by securing the club’s first piece of major silverware in the women’s game.

Here’s what we learned from the FA Cup final…

Regardless of which way the game went, history was always going to be made. United were finalists last year but failed to get their hands on the trophy, whereas Tottenham found themselves on the brink of major silverware for the first time in their history.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City have been the most successful teams in recent times, but on Sunday a new name was engraved on the trophy for the first time since 2017 when City secured the prize for the first time.

It’s a significant moment in the trajectory of women’s football in England as both Tottenham and United are in their infancy in terms of competing in the professional game. The two clubs were promoted to the WSL in 2019 and both have enjoyed a remarkable rise that culminated in Sunday’s final at Wembley.

The general order may not be entirely disrupted as Arsenal secured the Conti Cup a few months ago and either Chelsea or Manchester City will be crowned WSL champions next week. However, the FA Cup final does prove other teams in the division are growing in prominence and are able to compete for major honours, making the women’s game in England as competitive as it has ever been.

Defeat on Sunday might have been the nail in the coffin for Skinner among United fans after what has been a pretty mediocre season by their standards. After running Chelsea close for the league title last term, many would’ve expected the Red Devils to be in the thick of a title race once again.

However, in Europe, the Conti Cup and the WSL, their run was short. Results have been hit and miss for much…