Martha Thomas, the Tottenham striker, experienced an incredible feeling when she scored the winning goal in the 118th minute against Leicester City, sending her team to their first-ever Women’s FA Cup final. Despite sounding cliché, Thomas had a strong belief that she would score, and when the opportunity presented itself in the air, she knew she would beat the defender to it. The victory was a monumental achievement for Tottenham, and Thomas described it as a dream come true, with the pride and emotions evident on everyone’s faces after the game.
Tottenham’s reward for their 2-1 win is a place in the final against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. This final will feature a new winner in the competition outside of the Women’s Super League’s top three teams: Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City. It will be the first time since 2012 when Birmingham City emerged victorious. Thomas, who hails from Scotland, expressed her hope that Tottenham would be the team to break this streak. Her parents, who live in America, are even flying over to be there at Wembley to support her and the team.
Thomas emphasized the significance of winning the final and described it as more than just an added bonus. She believes that it would be a massive achievement for Tottenham and a testament to the progress they have made under manager Robert Vilahamn. When Thomas joined the team, it was a new project with fresh ideas, and the transformation from fighting relegation to competing with top teams has been remarkable. Winning the FA Cup would be a rewarding statement for the club and a testament to their growth.
This will be Thomas’ second consecutive appearance in the FA Cup final, having been a late substitute for Manchester United in their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea last year. However, she hopes to have a more prominent role this time around, especially since Tottenham has reached the final and has the chance to break the dominance of the top three teams. Thomas has had an impressive season, scoring 10 goals in 24 matches for Tottenham, including the winner in the semi-final. She acknowledges that her time at United was challenging in terms of game time and enjoyment, and the move to Tottenham was about rediscovering her love for the game rather than proving herself.
As the final approaches, Thomas is looking forward to the spectacle and hopes to contribute significantly to Tottenham’s success. The opportunity to play against her former club adds an extra layer of excitement, and she is determined to make a bigger impact than she did last year. Thomas’ journey from Manchester United to Tottenham reflects her desire to find joy in playing football again and be in an environment where she can thrive and contribute to the team’s success.
Football fans can watch the final between Manchester United and Tottenham live on BBC One from 13:50 BST on Sunday. It promises to be a thrilling match, with both teams hungry for victory and a chance to etch their names in FA Cup history.