Recap.
Last week Tottenham took on Manchester United at the Hive. Tottenham improved greatly and were unlucky to not have taken something and were beaten by a soft Millie Turner goal but lots of positives could be taken from the match. Highlights of last weeks match can be found below.
North London Derby.
Its the end of a manic month of matches for Tottenham and it ends the same way as it started, with an away match to London rivals Arsenal in the FA Cup Quarter Finals. The two faced off at the start of the month where Arsenal ran out 4-0 winners after Tottenham held out the gunners for 70 minutes before a uncharacteristic mistake by Ashleigh Neville lead to the collapse of our Lilywhites.
The question on everybody’s lips was if Alex Morgan would finally make her Tottenham debut? Morgan posted this morning on Twitter hinting at a return to the game in a few weeks time.
Lineups.
Arsenal opted for a 4-3-3 with Zinsburger in goal, Schaderbeck at right-back, Williamson and Beattie in the centre of defence with McCabe in at left-back. The Arsenal midfield was made of Walti, Gut, Van De Donk with Mead, Miedema and Foord up front for the gunners.
Tottenham went with a 4-3-3 with Spencer in goal, Neville at right-back, Harrop and Zadorsky in the centre of defence, with Percival at left-back. The Tottenham midfield was made of Filbey, Kennedy and Quinn. The Tottenham front line was occupied by Davison, Addison and Dean in the number 9 role.
Match report.
As expected Arsenal started the game the strongest of the two teams and on the 3rd minute Tottenham were caught on the backfoot which lead to a foul by Harrop on the right. The free-kick was taken by Katie McCabe which hit the post and went in to give Arsenal an early lead. Two minutes later Arsenal almost got their second of the game when Ria Percival committed a foul outside of the Tottenham box which again was taken by McCabe but this time her shot was pushed over the bar by Spencer for an Arsenal corner. A minute later Arsenal had their 2nd goal of the game when a pass by DVD in the middle of the park found Miedema on the left who shot past Spencer to give Arsenal their second of the game after 6 minutes.
On the 10th minute, it was Tottenham’s turn to threaten the Arsenal goal when Dean shot from range looking to chip Zinsburger but her effort was knocked over for a Tottenham corner. 5 minutes later Arsenal got their 3rd goal of the game when Leah Williamson played a long ball down the middle of the Tottenham defence finding Caitlin Foord who shot past Spencer to give Arsenal a 3rd goal. Arsenal was clearly in control of the game and kept dominating possession and in the 23rd minute, a mistake by Neville almost cost Tottenham again when Neville tried to let the ball run out of play but Mead latched onto the loose ball, centred from the left was unable to find any red shirts. Tottenham started to settle a little into the game, maybe a little too late but just as Tottenham looked a little more comfortable they were punished when in the 35th minute Harrop committed a foul which was taken by McCabe who found Miedema who shot from the right side past Becky Spencer to give Arsenal their 4th of the match. On the 37th minute, Tottenham opted to take off Gemma Davison and harshly Lucy Quinn for Lucia Leon, and Rosella Ayane. A minute later Arsenal almost got their 5th goal of the match when a McCabe pass found Caitlin Foord who was one on one with Spencer but Spencer stood strong and saved Foord’s effort for an Arsenal Corner. 2 minutes later on the 40th minute Miedema got her hat-trick and Arsenal’s 5th of the game when Miedema played a 1-2 with Foord to tap in for her 3rd of the match.
The second half started as the first ended with Arsenal being the stronger of the two teams, as the minutes passed Tottenham grew into the game and finally started to settle and take control of the possession. In the 49th minute, Arsenal were penalized when a high leg by McCabe on Lucia Leon lead to a Tottenham penalty which was taken by Rianna Dean but was saved by Zinsburger in the Arsenal goal while Neville fired her rebound over the bar. 5 minutes later Tottenham were at it again when Dean intercepted in the middle of the park, passed to Ayane who like last week against United rushed her shot and put her effort over Zinsburger’s bar. A minute later it was Arsenal’s turn when Foord found herself one on one with Spencer but Spencer stood strong and kept out Foord’s effort. Just as Tottenham were enjoying more possession and playing better they were punished in the 63rd minute when Miedema intercepted a misplaced Tottenham ball, played a 1-2 with DVD before passing to Mead who centred to find Foord who scored a scrappy 6th goal from close range. Tottenham continued to be the stronger of the two teams but with a 6 goal lead, there was no need for Arsenal to take any risk and were looking to just run down the clock. Tottenham finally got their reward in the 76th minute when a Siri Worm corner was met by Lucia Leon’s head to put her effort past Manuela Zinsburger to give Tottenham there first EVER goal against Arsenal. Tottenham kept pushing forward looking for little gaps but was unable to create anything more than half-chances as Arsenal went on to take the Derby by 6-1.
Player of the match.
After last weeks fantastic team performance I was expecting more of the same but after that early goal the team collapsed. The Tottenham players that chased every ball today were Lucy Quinn who was strangely substituted after 35 minutes and Angela Addsion. Addison never gave up, chased every ball and was the only Tottenham player to cause Arsenal the most problems, therefore our player of the match goes to Angela Addison.
Post match analysis.
Where to start, after last weeks positive performance against Manchester United I was expecting some of the same by our Lilywhites. No disrespect to United but Arsenal are a class above them and we knew it would be tough against the league leaders but after how well we have held Arsenal in the last two meetings today was a disappointment. I believe the coaches got the line up correct except for Siri being benched. I don’t think the coaches picked the wrong players I just believe it was one of those days that everything Arsenal touched turned into gold. Tottenham had a clear gameplan but that went out the window after 2 and a half minutes so on to plan b which again went out of the window after 6 minutes. After 15 minutes plans A, B and C were out of the window and Tottenham were broken and to complicate matters more I can’t get my head around taking Lucy Quinn off after 35 minutes. Quinn was not to blame for Tottenham trailing by 3 but unfortunately, sometimes players have to be sacrificed but I personally feel that was the wrong move because along with Addison, Quinn was the only Tottenham player running, chasing balls and causing Arsenal problems.
Overall it was a huge comedown from the last few matches but I think conceding the two early goals definitely shattered the team’s gameplan and certain substitutes were totally wrong. Tottenham is still new to the WSL and they need to learn to absorb pressure and not go straight for the attack. I know the Arsenal goals came quick but maybe if after conceding the first goal they had sat back a little instead of looking for a response right away they could have settled into the game rather than find themselves 3 down by 15 minutes. No game is easy in the WSl but on paper, Tottenham have gotten out the worst run of games that any team could have wished for and should hopefully now start taking points in the next set of matches. I still think the coaches need to decide on their best 11 and the team must learn from today and build on it if they are to survive their 2nd season in the top flight, all I know is that Quinn, Dean and Addison must make up the Tottenham front line at least until Morgan comes into the lineup.
Next match.
The wsl now takes a little international break but matches still resume on Sunday November 8th which sees our Lilywhites take on Reading at the Hive at 14:00 pm.
Women's Soccer Fans 