Tottenham Hotspur Girls fell 4-2 to fellow midtable standout London Metropolis Lionesses in final Sunday’s extremely anticipated matchup. Spurs matched London Metropolis for 2 objectives however had been unable to stop or reply to 81st and 84th minute strikes.
Martin Ho, as he has achieved lately, chosen a comparatively unchanged facet – Ashleigh Neville began instead of Josefine Rybrink at proper again, and Tinka Tandberg got here in for Beth England up high.
Regardless of a robust begin, we conceded early–almost on London Metropolis’s first alternative for assault. The objective got here on a nook when the Lionesses’ nook fell to their gifted, younger heart again Sangare, who performed it high of the field to Freya Godfrey. Godfrey’s end was one contact, and no person managed to react in time to clear. The perimeters traded assaults for a lot of the half – London Metropolis discovered pleasure down each wings, notably by way of Imuran, Parris and Godfrey, whereas Spurs made headway within the center. Ultimately, Spurs discovered an equalizer by way of an assault orchestrated by Olivia Holdt. After quite a few blocked photographs, the ball fell to Drew Spence within the field and he or she was fouled for the penalty. Tinka Tandberg took the penalty and made no mistake. (Sidebar – Tinka Tandberg is a lifelong fan of Harry Kane. Watch the pen and inform me whether or not you see the stylistic resemblance. I certain did.)
The Lionesses struck once more early within the second half. Drew Spence misplaced the ball in midfield and the Lionesses broke down our left facet. Amanda Nildén and Ash Neville had each dedicated too far ahead to be a lot assist stopping the counterattack. Nikita Parris tapped it in on the far submit, and presumably broke Lize Kop’s nostril within the course of. Lize wasn’t substituted, however I’m unsure she regarded proper for the remainder of the sport.
Eveliina Summanen equalized from a spectacular free kick within the 69th minute after Matilda Vinberg was introduced down simply exterior the field (ICYMI, you could find the great things here). However Spurs makes an attempt to press on deflated resulting from an unfortunate personal objective within the 81st minute. Amanda Nildén was dashing towards the endline and will solely put the ball in her personal web when Asslani’s deflected free kick fell unexpectedly at her toes. Moments later, Tōko Koga gave the ball away in midfield. Spurs scrambled to cease the ensuing counter, however no person might cease Freya Godfrey from chopping inside and taking pictures previous Lize Kop. Spurs didn’t take a pair half-chances to cut back the deficit, and that was that.
Martin Ho made quite a few substitutions in an try and both shore issues up or change the sport. Martha Thomas changed Jess within the 61st minute, Beth England changed Tinka Tandberg within the 71st minute, Lenna Gunning-Williams got here in for Matilda Vinberg within the 89th minute. I discovered a few of these selections a bit odd – Jess and Matilda had been solely having OK video games, however Martha and Lenna haven’t proven something to make me assume they may do higher. That mentioned, I’m unsure who I’d’ve introduced on of their stead. I additionally would’ve favored to see Martin substitute Amanda, who regarded very drained, or Eveliina, who’s presumably nonetheless carrying these damaged ribs.
It was a demoralizing finish to the sport, and an uncomfortable reminder forward of the North London Derby that this Spurs facet has not completely ironed out the sloppiness and haplessness that plagued the facet final 12 months.
Between the set piece routines, the midfield marking, and the pace up and down the wings, it was apparent London Metropolis got here ready for this recreation. I’m unsure we had a ok plan in return. Most of our makes an attempt to progress the ball appeared to run by way of Olivia Holdt. London Metropolis marked her out of the sport for the primary half-hour, and even as soon as she obtained going, effectively, one particular person in all probability shouldn’t be doing every little thing. To be truthful, it was fairly congested within the heart of the pitch, and Olivia is a participant who actually shines holding on to the ball in tight areas. I wasn’t a fan of our makes an attempt to progress the ball down the wing into house since London Metropolis’s pacy fullbacks had been simply in a position to match even Jess Naz, who is sort of fast.
Martin Ho has given me no cause to assume he gained’t handle the tactical points within the coming weeks. However that is the factor – Godfrey and Rofiat Imuran each had monstrous video games in assault, as did a number of the massive names in midfield like Asslani, Geyoro, and Kumagai. London Metropolis and Michelle Kang have actually invested. We’ve regarded superior underneath Martin Ho to date, however we nonetheless have principally center of the street attacking expertise. I can solely hope our membership will handle the depth and expertise points within the January switch window.
I’m sorry to report that we face Arsenal subsequent. Nevertheless, there might be worse occasions to do it! Arsenal trailed us within the desk till final week, and now they’re solely forward on objective distinction. They’re coming off a 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich midweek within the Champions League through which they blew a 2 objective lead. They may be drained, they may be demoralized! Personally, I’m hoping we reprise our well-known 1-0 2023 victory in opposition to them. Wouldn’t that be good?
