Exclusive: Ella Toone reveals private conversation with Man Utd team-mate that inspired FA Cup final wonder-goal

Earlier this month, Ella Toone picked up the ball at the Wembley halfway line, galloped towards goal with purpose, shimmied past a sliding Eveliina Summanen and lashed a shot into the top corner from some 25 yards.

It was the stuff of dreams; Toone’s fourth goal in seven Wembley appearances and the first of four strikes that saw Manchester United Women emphatically claim a maiden FA Cup.

And speaking to SPORTbible at a cushy central London hotel room to promote Pepsi MAX’s ‘Where There’s a Ball, There’s a Way’ campaign, Toone said: “I have never hit one like that before. It was funny because the week before I was practicing. I always practice shooting after training.

“I’d been practising with Phallon (Tullis-Joyce), our keeper, and I said to her ‘What I’m really struggling with is when I’m driving with the ball and I shoot’.

“And then for some reason, I don’t know what happened the other day but I was driving with the ball and as soon as it left my foot I knew it was one of them that was going in. It was a great finish and one that I’m really proud of. It’s definitely up here with the best goals I’ve ever scored.”

It was Toone’s third winner’s medal at Wembley, having also netted the opener for England’s Euro 2022 and Finalissima triumphs.

However, the aesthetic brilliance and context of her latest Wembley goal will resonate with fans of any allegiance. This is her childhood team, after all, overcoming last year’s devastating 1-0 FA Cup final defeat against Chelsea to win its first-ever major women’s title.

Toone said: “It’s history. We’ve been formed for six years now and every day we’re making history. From the day the women’s team was created until now, that day has gone down in history as us winning our first FA Cup.

“I think going from last year, getting to a final and knowing how much hard work you’ve got to put in to get there, to go again and push that little bit more and get the win feels so special.

“For me to have been at the club for six years all we ever wanted was to win a trophy.

“It means a lot and growing up a United fan and having those dreams of playing for the club and winning trophies is that extra bit more special.”

Toone was talking up her FA Cup glory while promoting Pepsi's latest Hidden Pitches project, which has built temporary pitches across London, Liverpool and Manchester as a means of inspiring people to play football while challenging conventions that may limit accessibility.

Toone is promoting Pepsi MAX’s ‘Where There’s a Ball, There’s a Way’ campaign (Pepsi)

Indeed, the Lioness spent the evening at one of those pitches, coaching and refereeing a 2v2 tournament.

On the campaign, she said: “Whether you are good or not as good as the person next to you, you should have the opportunity to play football.

“I think there are a lot of people out there that don’t feel like they can play as well as other people but as long as they’ve got that accessibility to football and can go there with their friends and enjoy football, that’s what is important.

“And for it to be in three different places all over England is special because it gives as many people as possible that chance to go and play.”