Tranmerekat on Tour: Lucia In The Sky With Diamonds

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium

The Red Devils 👿return to Brent on a very warm day to try to heal the hurt of last year's defeat to Chelsea. This time the opponents are Tottenham so there will be a new name on the cup whatever happens. On the road here the Devils beat Chelsea and Brighton 😠, and Everton. Spurs beat Man City and Leicester. Both clubs have full squads except poor Grace Clinton who is on loan from Man Utd to Tottenham so can't play. The Reds back line consists Mary, Hannah Blundell, Mille Turner, Maya and Jayde Riviere. Captain Katie "eyelashes" Zelem is in the 6 with Lisa Naalsund in the 8 and Toooney in the 10. Lucia Garcia is on the right, Rachel Williams in the centre and Leah Galton on the left. A good mix of homegrown and imported talent on show. The Spurs side has a few names we know with Ashley Neville at right back, ex-red Martha Thomas up front with Captain Bethany England and emerging talent Jess Nas. There are fantastic fireworks, big flags and a dance off between the mascots that was won by the Cockerel. Expecting it to be a tight and nervous game as neither side will want to lose.

The Reds kick-off and are setting the early standards with Maya going literally head-to-head with Martha Thomas and leaving around the ground. There will be no quarter given today. In the second minute and Leah Galton forces a good save from Becky Spencer. Rachel Williams heads the resulting corner over the bar. They go close again with another corner on 12 as Rachel Williams heads over again. It's mostly one way traffic and another Reds corner sees Lucia Garcia's on-target header blocked on the goal line. Spurs are struggling to get any decent time on the ball. The red pressure is maintained and the fourth corner sees Millie Turner's header cleared off the line by Martha Thomas on 35. Toone gets a good chance on 38 from inside the box but she whips it just wide spurs. Spurs still struggling to keep hold of the ball as the Reds are pressing so high up. Beth England and Jess Naz upfront barely getting near the ball as Spurs best chance so far breaks down. The Red breaks and Ella Toone picks up the ball on the halfway line. She runs on unchallenged to just outside the box and then fires a rocket 🚀 into the top corner of the net on 45 + 3 . Tooooooooooone. What a goal. It's advantage Reds as whistle goes for the break.

There are no changes at the break other than the switch of Jess Nas from right to left wing. Leah Galton only lasts a few minutes and she has to go off as a result of having taken a knock in the early minutes of the game. On comes Lyon and France striker Malard. A deep free kick finds the head of Rachel Williams, who, finally, finds the net on 54. Spurs respond but Beth England blasts her shot way over the bar. Spurs passing round the defence goes horribly wrong as Becky Spencer's pass goes straight to Lucia inside the box. She doesn't need to be asked twice and makes no mistake on 73. nailed to the red devils change up front now, with Paris on, for Rachel Williams. A well-earned rest for the veteran striker entertained, can't make it for. Offer a good build up on 60s. 2 Spurs get their best chance on 66, when Beth hit as great cross onto the crossbar. Malard nearly gets on the score sheet on 72 but it's well saved. It's end to end for a while, the changes take effect. A Malard cross ends up at the feet of Garcia and she smashes it home for her brace on 74. Malard is starting to own the left-wing. Garcia is replaced by Geyse so no, hattrick for Lucia today. Tooney is replaced by Miyazawa, who is a bit more defensive. Riviera, is replaced by Republic of Ireland international Aoife Mannion. United are running Spurs ragged. Any attempt to play out from the back is punished by the high press and they are struggling to get back into the game. Playing direct gets more joy for them. Spurs get their first corner as their fans are starting to leave. We can see you sneaking out. At least they don't have far to go. The corner comes to nothing and the red tide rises again. Hannah Blundell gets the first yellow card of the game on 90 + 2. With a 4 goal lead well into injury time, that is real commitment to the cause. The Reds run the clock down with defensive possession rather than the corner flag at the other end. A clear win and silverware for the Red Devils they celebrate on the pitch. Leah Galton gets a piggy back from Rachel Williams as she's now on crutches. Well played the Reds, there was only ever going to be one winner after that goal from Tooney.

What a great game that was. Having seat in the gods helped with a great view of the play. The first goal being so good set the scene for things to come. Block 551 gives a great view of the pitch without being in the vertigo/nosebleed regions. The celebrations afterwards were good to watch, felt for Spurs a bit but that was United last year so is good progress for them when the hurt has subsided a bit. United were just too good for Spurs today, from the defence, the midfield and the quality and composure in front of goal. Their passing and movement was too much for spurs and a great mix up of patient build up and running onto long balls. Spurs looked a bit wobbly at the back too. There are times to play out from the back like you did in training all week and times to clear your lines when under pressure. The third goal was a time to hoof it. Bethany England deserved a goal for her efforts and was unlucky she hit the bar. Man Utd haven't had the best season but today looked like a statement that they are back in business. They have one game left in the WSL and that's a big title deciding game against Chelsea at Old Trafford. One to watch.

POTM: Tough call between a few honourable mentions. Ella Toone has had her best season but had a great game today and what a goal. Rachel Williams doing what she does, and everyone else really but award today goes to Lucia Garcia for her brace of goals to put the tie out of reach and we love watching her dancing feet as she runs with the ball.

The ref did very well and was hardly noticeable.

The Scran'o'meter missed the game as it stayed in the Spoons 🥄on Victoria Station and don't blame it for the value and quality of the food 🍳🌭🍄🍟🍅☕.

One game to go this season and it's a big one. Watch this space👀.✈

Love Tranmerekat 🐾