Vilahamn takes heart from loss after ‘good year’
WHEN the dust has settled on this painful FA Cup Final defeat, Tottenham will come to realise they can take inspiration from their conquerors.
Growth is a gradual thing, and Spurs were well ahead of schedule by reaching a major cup final in their first season under manager Robert Vilahamn.
Manchester United thoroughly deserved to become the 18th new name on the Women’s FA Cup trophy, but it was only a year ago that the story was very different.
Many United players felt they had dominated Chelsea in last year’s final, but a Sam Kerr goal meant they lost 1-0.
This time they approached the game with a self-assuredness that Spurs could not match. Spurs must take heart from United’s triumph after defeat last year. It is still early in their evolution under Vilahamn, who has already guided the club to new heights in less than a year at the helm.
“We are going to finish sixth in the WSL, we were in the final of the FA Cup — results-wise it was a good year,” said Vilahamn yesterday.
“Getting to the FA Cup Final was better than I expected.”
The key now is how Tottenham respond. They plan to sign at least three players this summer, and strengthening the squad is a must if Spurs are to close the gap to the elite sides.
Spurs will fight hard to sign Grace Clinton permanently from United. She has been a revelation on loan this season and her absence against her parent club yesterday was sorely felt.
United do not lack such star power, and goalscorers Ella Toone and Lucia Garcia showed that as they ran the show in front of 76,082 at a scorching Wembley, picking apart a Spurs team who looked overawed by the occasion.
“We just need to keep developing,” Vilahamn added.
“This is only our first year. I’m quite sure in the upcoming years we’ll have a good chance to get the title.
“Of course we want to [win trophies], but the main thing next year is to become the best-run club in the world.
“Players want to come here now. We have a good chance to be even better next year.”