Tottenham boss claims Spurs have 'everything to win' in FA Cup final vs Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur boss Robert Vilahamn believes his side have "everything to win" this weekend's Women's FA Cup final - despite branding Manchester United the favourites.
Spurs reached the last two of the competition for the first time in the club's history by coming from behind to beat Leicester City in the semi-finals, with Martha Thomas netting the winner in extra-time. They will take on United on Sunday at a sold-out Wembley Stadium where both teams will be bidding to win their first major trophy.
Marc Skinner's side were narrowly beaten by Chelsea in last season's final and are currently one place above fourth-place Tottenham in the Women's Super League (WSL) table. However, Vilahamn is confident his team have all the ingredients to emerge victorious this weekend.
"Of course, I must say they are the favourite team for this game, because they have been near the top of the table for a while," he said in his pre-match press conference. "On the other hand, this year they are not top three any more. We played a good game against them. We saw we can actually compete against them.
"Yes, they are favourites. Yes, they were there last year, but we are taking steps all the time and we have beaten good teams this year. So we feel like we have everything to win in this game and that we have a good chance to win."
Tottenham have never beaten United in the WSL, although they held the Reds to a 2-2 draw at Leigh Sports Village last month. They have also impressed against other top sides this term, beating Arsenal in the WSL and Manchester City (on penalties) in the FA Cup.
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"It started when we had a draw against Arsenal in the Conti Cup (3-3 before losing on penalties) and then after that we won against them (in the WSL)," Vilahamn said, reflecting on Spurs' progress this season.
"Then we had a few more games where we had some good performances and then we beat Man City in the cup and had the draw against Man United.
"So it's four or five times where we competed with the top four teams and that means the players are now understanding we can compete and beat Man United. It's not a question any more, we know we can do that and that we have a good chance to win on Sunday.
"You can see and feel that. Everybody is going for the win. We're not just happy to be there. We have enormous respect for them, they were there last year, they are a great team - but it's a final."
Whoever wins on Sunday will be the first new FA Cup winner - outside of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City - since Birmingham City in 2012. And Vilahamn says it is a sign of the growing competitiveness of the women's game.
"If you look at the final, a new winner, Tottenham or Manchester United, I think it's a good thing for this country to get more teams in the league competing for trophies," he said. "You want to have a competitive league."