Manchester United Women lost 3-0 in the FA Cup final to Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday afternoon in a flat performance to end the season. Marc Skinner decided to place Ella Toone on the bench, to the surprise of everyone when the team news broke. Given how the players performed on the pitch, it is clear the plan employed by Skinner did not have the impact desired.
Lacked the cutting edge in the first half
The Reds began the game brightly looking to get some early shots on the goal as they did two years ago in the final against the same opponents. Grace Clinton saw her effort blocked by Millie Bright and Dominique Janssen sent her shot over the bar. The early pressure applied by United didn’t lead to much as Chelsea began to grow into the game. The Reds went within themselves as they backed off for the rest of the first half.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce was called upon several times to make saves and then scrambled to make the stop with Millie Turner and Leah Galton when Maya Ramirez had got clear of Maya Le Tissier.
Chelsea was to make the breakthrough before half time after Celin Bizet caught Erin Cuthbert inside the box. The referee decided to award the penalty to the Blues, which was checked and confirmed by VAR. Sandy Baltimore stepped up, sending Tullis-Joyce the wrong way to give them the lead. As the clock ticked down to half time, Chelsea asserted their control on the game.
changes did not have an effect
The second half saw Marc Skinner make an attacking change as Ella Toone was brought on to replace Millie Turner, who did not look comfortable after taking a challenge during the first half. Our number 7 was soon to be involved in the action as she fired a volley towards goal forcing the save from Hannah Hampton. It was not a clear strike of the ball and was lacking the power to it.
Leah Galton looked to have taken a nasty fall after being challenged by Lucy Bronze. It appeared at the time, she would have to leave the field of play. However, with treatment she was back on the pitch within a few minutes.
Marc Skinner then made his second substitution of the match as he subbed off Aoife Mannion for Melvine Malard as United went on the attack to grab the equaliser. The changes did not have desired effect as Chelsea kept up the pressure upon us in between stoppages of the game.
Chelsea then added their second of the game with minutes left when Catarina Macario headed the ball home from the free kick. This was after Skinner made his final substitutes bringing on Lisa Naalsund and Rachel Williams as United chased the game.
With two goals behind, United were now more urgent in their approach but nothing was working for the Reds. The Blues then added the third and final goal of the game when Sandy Baltimore latched onto the back pass to put the ball in the back of the net to end United’s hopes of retaining the FA Cup.
What next for United?
With Champions League football secured for the next campaign, this season has ended on a flat note after we had not won a game in the last month and then coming unstuck on the biggest stage. Looking back on the season as whole, it is one the club and the fans can be proud of – finishing third in the league and reaching our third consecutive FA Cup final. There is optimism going into next season with this team.
