- Toone given straight red against Spurs
- WSL have overturned dismissal after appeal
- Huge boost for United ahead of Chelsea clash
WHAT HAPPENED? Toone was shown a straight red after reacting angrily to a coming together with Spurs midfielder Eveliina Summanen, pushing the Finland international when the pair were tangled on the floor. She was sent off for the offence, but has now had that decision - and subsequent three-game suspension - overturned following a successful appeal.
AND WHAT'S MORE: The FA also announced it had charged Summanen with "successful deception of a match official." In a statement, the FA added: "It’s alleged that the midfielder committed a clear act of simulation during the 80th minute, which led to an opponent being sent off, and therefore her behaviour amounts to improper conduct."
THE BIGGER PICTURE: The news is a major boost for United ahead of a vital stretch of games. Toone will now be available for a top-of-the-table WSL clash against Chelsea on March 12, as well as an FA Cup meeting with Durham and league match against struggling Leicester.
WHAT THEY SAID? United boss Marc Skinner was supportive of the midfielder after the Spurs game, saying to Sky Sports: "We want our players to show passion, commitment, energy. When you hold your face [in the way Summanen did], it’s play-acting in my opinion. Obviously with Ella, we’ll look at that. But we’ll not put Ella in a position where… I want to see that from her, I want to see passion in our players, commitment, and there’s a little bit of play-acting there. It’s something we’ll work on internally, of course, we have to be accountable but you need a little bit of help from other players as well.”
DID YOU KNOW? Toone has registered seven WSL assists this season, with only Chelsea's Guro Reiten managing more.
Next Match
THE VERDICT: This really is massive for United. There is a long way to go of course, and Chelsea typically end the season strongly, but a maiden WSL title is currently in their hands. Beating the Blues next month would be a huge statement to the footballing world as they look to ditch their tag as a selling club and keep hold of their top stars, such as Arsenal target Alessia Russo, this summer.
IN A PHOTO:
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WHAT NEXT FOR TOONE? She is currently away with England as the Lionesses look to defend their Arnold Clark Cup title this month.