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Manchester United boss Marc Skinner branded goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce “one of the world’s best” following her stellar performance in Sunday’s 2-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester City.
United secured their place in the Wembley final for a third consecutive year, thanks to first-half goals from Celin Bizet and Grace Clinton.
The Reds dominated the first half, controlling much of the opening 45 minutes and deservedly went into the break with the lead.
City came out a bit more determined and tried to flip the game on its head but United remained compact and resolute. Tullis-Joyce, who has been brilliant in the WSL this term, made a crucial contribution, producing a sensational double save to deny Yui Hasegawa and Lily Murphy.
She made other big stops that helped United get over the line.
After the final whistle, Skinner was full of praise for the United States international. The United boss said [via United’s website], “Her reaction at the end was ‘That’s just my job’ – that humility is exactly what keeps her as being one of the world’s best and will get her to being the world’s best goalkeeper because she’s humble, she’s hard working.”
“Those two saves are incredible. I’ve not seen them back but they’re incredible, I know the feeling of them. I love that about my team, I love the fact that they work for our fans.”
“It gives me a real boost because it’s not just about the results, that’s part of the process but it’s building that spirit and that’s a huge trophy for me, mentally.”
Another player who drew praise from Skinner was Ella Toone, who set up the opening goal with a well-timed assist.
“I always ask the team, ‘what would you say, if you were me’, and Ella looked like she had something to say. She just said that we are a family and that is the difference between us and other teams, is that when it gets dark, we are together. I think not only does she love this club – that it is her club – but it’s the growth she’s made as a leader, we’re seeing those leadership traits on the field and she’s only going to get better at that.”
On how solid his team was, Skinner said, “There were moments in the game at the Etihad where we let them back into it but there was none of that today. It was pure control. I felt that the defensive line was fantastic. Millie Turner, Maya [Le Tiisier] – epic – Gabby [George] got in a couple of challenges late, but then the defensive cover from Teri [Elisabeth Terland] today.”
“I know we’re going to talk about her goals, but the work she does for the team is the reason you get results – she was hurting, and she’s still running.”
On the upcoming final against Chelsea, set for May 18, Skinner remarked, “I want to see us attack it, or see us be aggressive in it, and I believe if we do that with our special spirit we can beat anyone. So they’re there to fear if you want to fear them, of course they have great talent, Sonia [Bompastor] is a great manager.”
“If we give it our very best, with the fan base that we have as well – we’ll make it loud. Hopefully we’ll show our learnings and change the result.”
Meanwhile, United return to WSL action on Saturday when they go away to West Ham.
Feature image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
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