Tottenham Hotspur have had a rough time of it against the very best teams in the WSL this season, but they’ve done quite well against the rest of the league. Today, Spurs kept the pressure on the WSL’s top three with a 2-1 come-from-behind win over a talented Brighton & Hove Albion Women team. Spurs got two second half goals within a minute from Signe Gaupset and Olivia Holdt, overcoming a solid performance by Brighton’s Nigerian keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to preserve the win, their second straight
in the league.
Martin Ho opted to start the match with the same XI that he used in last week’s 4-1 win over Birmingham City. However, the match started disastrously for Spurs, as a defensive lapse led to a very early goal from Brighton’s Frank Kirby to put Brighton up 0-1. Olivia Garcia squared a simple ball in the box for a wide open Kirby, and the former England international made easy work of the chance to put the visitors up 1-0.
Spurs settled quickly and tried to find an equalizer, but despite some good work to progress the ball wide via the flanks and a few chances, they weren’t able to find the net in the first half.
The second half started with a bang for Spurs, who scored two goals from Signe Gaupset and Olivia Holdt inside one minute early in the second period to go from one down to one ahead. Tottenham tested Nnadozie on numerous other occasions and defended well as Brighton started pouring attackers forward trying to find an equalizer. Spurs did an admirable job to stymie Brighton’s offense and could’ve scored another goal or two, but in the end two goals were enough. The final score was 2-1.
Match Reactions
- Unchanged starting lineup from the one that beat Birmingham 4-1 last weekend.
- Pretty serious let-off from Spurs early as they let a simple cross into the box for Fran Kirby to slot home just two minutes in. Can’t leave an England international footballer that open in the box.
- The rest of the first half was mostly even, maybe Spurs edged it slightly. They controlled possession and forced a couple of really solid stops from Brighton’s keeper Nnadozie (who regrettably had a fantastic match).
- Spurs did a great job in making passes to break Brighton’s lines and progress the ball, but they had a lot more trouble generating big chances from that possession. Things seemed to fizzle in Brighton’s box as Spurs frequently checked their runs and allowed the defense to settle. Only two attempts on goal in that first half.
- When Spurs started firing, they REALLY started firing! Gaupset’s equalizer was due to a nifty through ball in the box from Holdt to set her up, and she one-touched it past Nnadozie. Less than a minute later, Drew Spence intercepted a pass in Brighton’s box, could’ve shot it, and instead passed to a wide open Olivia who made short work of her chance. BANG — from one down to one ahead.
- How good was Olivia Holdt today? The bit is that she’s “the best player in world football” but honestly she was fantastic in this one, with a goal and assist. She nearly had a brace, too. Just an outstanding player and super fun to watch. Holdt her beer.
- Holdt and Gaupset will get the headlines, but Drew Spence absolutely ran midfield in this one. She was everywhere, cutting out chances, showing for the ball, and quarterbacking Spurs’ attack. Fantastic match.
- Kirsty Hanson came on at halftime for Matilda Vinberg and the match changed almost immediately. Her crossing was immense, and she also got back on a number of occasions to contribute defensively. She’s had her minutes managed lately, and I wonder if she’s carrying an unreported minor injury?
- Toko Koka had a couple of really solid long passes from deep positions to bypass Brighton’s midfield. Spurs don’t play direct football that often but the CAN, and that opens up a lot of possibilities.
- Great to see more sub minutes for Jessica Naz, who made her first home appearance in a year after coming back from a serious ACL injury last season.
- This result keeps Spurs in fourth place, three behind London City, and one point ahead of Manchester United, and positioning themselves to capitalize if one of the top three falter.
- Up next: a mid-week Cup match against Palace, followed by hosting Everton next Saturday — another winnable fixture.
