Today should have seen Tottenham play their 2nd out of 3 games in what was supposed to be a busy week but storm Ciara had other plans as every WSL game was prosponed this past Sunday meaning it’s now been 2 weeks since Tottenham have played a game leaving Tottenham now with 2 games in hand. Match-day 16 see’s 5th place Everton visit the Hive for a game under the lights against our 7th place Lilywhites in Tottenham’s first ever midweek WSL game.
Tottenham have had the last two matches prosponed, the first due to a waterlogged pitch against Britol City and then again this past Sunday againt Arsenal at Meadow Park due to Storm Ciara while Everton won by 1 goal to nil away last Sunday away to Brighton. Tottenham come into the game the fresher out of the two and should have the advantage but Tottenham know what a threat Everton can be so the Lilywhites will need to be on top form and clinical in front of goal if they are to overcome the Toffees at the Hive.
Tottenham welcomed Everton on a very cold and wet night at the Hive but you have to give props to the Spurs fans that they came out on a cold February night and made lots of noise to show support for the ladies in the game under the lights. Tottenham lined up with a 4-2-3-1 with Becky Spencer in goal, Ashleigh Neville at right back, Anna Filby and Hannah Godfrey in the centre and Emma Mitchell at Left back. Then in front of the defence sat Ria Percival and Josie Green followed by an attacking midfield consisting Rosella Ayane, Gemma Davidson and Chloe Peplow leaving Rianna Dean up front in the number 9 position. Everton also lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Tinja-Riika Korpela in goal, Danielle Turner, Gabrielle George, Mayan Finnigan and Esme Morgan in defence. Ahead of backline sat Maéva Clemaron and Inessa Kaagman. The Everton’s attacking midfield consisted of Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, Chloe Kelly and Lucy Graham with Simone Magill up front.
Everton started the strongest out of the two teams dominating possession from the start but didn’t cause Tottenham no real danger except for making\ the Lilywhites chase the ball trying to win back possession. The game started to liven up in the 22nd minute when Everton created the first real chance of the game when Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah shot from the left forcing Becky Spencer into making a fine save but needing the assistance of Anna Filby to clear the ball off the line to prevent Chloe Kelly reaching the lose ball which would have surely given Everton a deserved lead. Everton’s pressure and chance in the 22nd minute woke Tottenham up because in the 29th minute Ria Percival stole the ball in midfield playing Rianna Dean though who’s shot from just inside the area struck Korpela’s left hand post as Everton were let off the hook. Football can be cruel as a minute later Everton found themselves 1 up after Chloe Kelly scored with a low shot hot from just inside the 18 yard box beating Becky Spencer on lower right after Anna Filby had the ball stolen off her on the edge of the Tottenham area by Simone Magill who’s ball fell to Inessa Kaagman who set up Chloe Kelly for the first of the game. The rest of the half saw very few cut chances for either team as Everton remained in control of possession giving Tottenham very few opportunities to get back into the game.
The 2nd half saw Angela Addison come on for Chloe Peplow. Everton started the first few minutes of the 2nd half as they finished the 1st by dominating possession and in the 56th minute things got worse for our Lilywhites as a mis-kick by the usually reliable Becky Spencer gave the ball away to Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah who Headered the ball to Magill who found Inessa Kaagman who took a shot for the edge of the Tottenham area and what Becky Spencer at her bottom left post to give Everton their 2nd of the game.
The comeback is on.
Rather than breaking Tottenham there was a sense of belief around the Hive. The fans started making more noise and the Tottenham players began to take control of the midfield and Angela Addison’s addition was causing the Everton backline a major headache and in the 67th Minute Addison and Tottenham got their reward as Angela Addison ran down the wind passed the ball central to Josie Green who found Ria Percival who centre the ball into the Everton area and Angela Addison got in between the Everton centre backs to header the ball past Korpela to give Tottenham hope.
Tottenham carried on putting pressure on Everton and gaining possession of the midfield as Everton struggled to cope with Angela Addison and Rosella Ayane as they were both brought down numerous times and in the 76th minute Rosella Ayane was brought down twice in 5 seconds by Maéve Clemaron and in a moment of madness after being given the foul Rosella Ayane kicked out at Clemaron and was given a straight red card by the referee. Tottenham were given the free kick but found themselves a woman down with 13 minutes of normal time remaining. The inform Emma Mitchell stepped up to take the free kick and scored with a thunderous shot from 30 yards out to put Tottenham level.
Tottenham most definitely finished the game the strongest out of the two teams despite being a player down. Everton did have a chance to steal all 3 points at the end when Inessa Kaggman balloned a chance in the 87th minute from just 12 yards out which with 10 players Tottenham certainly finished the game the stronger out of the two finishing the game with 51% possesion and taking a point from a very hard fought game.
Post Match Analysis.
Let’s be honest Everton came into this game as favourites but Tottenham have been showing teams that you do not come to their home and take points easily. Everton did start the strongest but the first chance of the game came to Tottenham and they should have been 1 up before Chloe Kelly gave Everton the lead. Personally both Everton goals came from Tottenham errors. First the rock solid Anna Filby lost the ball on the edge of box and later a mis-kick from Becky Spencer so things should have been so different and maybe even could/should have seen Tottenham take the 3 points. I think most teams would have been deflated after finding themselves 2 down but if anything it gave Tottenham strength and belief and the comeback began. I think all the players and fans can be proud of our Lilywhites performance because they did not crumble. Every player gave 110% and nothing was going to break down the teams belief and credit had to be given to our coaches Karen Hills and Juan Carlos Amoros for giving our players that self confidence.
Player of the match.
This one is again very tough I feel there were 3 stand out players from our starters, Ria Percival was instrumental in keeping Everton’s attacking midfielders quiet. Gemma Davidson is just getting better and better with each game and her technique and experience was key in Tottenham’s creative play and finally our captain Josie Green was superb she was involved in everything in the Tottenham midfield. Josie was scrappy, she was creating chances, and cutting many of Everton’s passes and was all over the pitch covering the back and front lines for this reason the woman of the match had to go to Josie Green.
Next home match.
Our next home match is not for a while now and will take place on Sunday 22nd March when our Spurs ladies take on Birmingham city. Advanced tickets for the game can be purchased for £6.50 for adults and £3.50 concession over at Tottenham Hotspur.com/wsl
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Tottenham Women v Birmingham Women
But before that Tottenham are away to Coventry United in the 5th round FA Cup tie which take place this Monday 17th at 19:45 at Butt Park Arena.
Postponed match update.
Our postponed match against Bristol City on Sunday 2nd February has now been rearranged for Sunday 19th April at the Hive London with a scheduled 2pm kick-off time subject to either team reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.
Women's Soccer Fans 