Tottenham was back in WSL action after creating history this Wednesday by beating Liverpool 1-0 in the Conti Cup quarter-finals and reaching their first-ever Conti Cup semi-finals. Tottenham has been drawn away to Manchester City while holders Chelsea will host Manchester United in the other semi-final. The semi-final matches are due to take place on February 2nd with broadcasting still to be announced. Highlights of Tottenham’s historical night can be seen below on our YouTube channel.
After dropping points to West Ham in added time, Tottenham looked to bounce back against 3rd placed Manchester United. A victory would put Tottenham back in 3rd and in contention for a Champions League spot with a game in hand against Chelsea. Highlights of last weeks game against West Ham can be seen below.
Lineups.
Manchester United 4-3-3, Earps in goal, Batlle at right-back, Thorisdottir and Mannion in the centre of defence with Smith in at left-back, The United midfield was made up of Ladd, Risa and Zelem, while the United front three was made of Toone down the right, Galton down the left with Russo in the centre.
Tottenham 4-3-3, Korpela in goal, Neville in at right-back, Bartrip and Zadorksy in the centre of defence with Harrop in at left-back. The Tottenham midfield was made up of Green, Percival and Clemaron. The Tottenham front three was made of Ayane down the right, Naz down the left with William in the centre.
First Half.
United started the strongest of the two teams with Galton and Toone causing trouble down the wings. It took United just 2 minutes to register their first shot on goal with Zelem shooting from distance but her effort was easily gathered by Korpela. United could have taken the lead in the 10th minute when Ayane claimed that Thorisdottir fouled her just outside of the Tottenham box but the referee waved play on. Thorisdottir found Galton with a pass who unleashed a shot but Korpela saved well for Tottenham. United dominated possession with Tottenham struggling to see the ball but despite all the possession, United couldn’t create a clear opportunity on goal. Tottenham almost got punished in the 23rd minute when Naz lost Tottenham possession as Galton led the United attack before Ladd struck a shot from distance but her effort sailed out as Tottenham was let off the hook.
Tottenham seemed to find their feet from the 25th minute as they began to control possession but was unable to find their way into the United box. The games clearest chance was created by Tottenham in the 29th minute when Williams won the ball down the right before centring into the United box but Naz was unable to get the small touch needed to turn the ball in from 6 yards. United regained control of the game, but the Tottenham defence held strong denying United any clear chances in the Tottenham box. United finally found a way past the Tottenham defence in the 36th minute when a clever Zelem free-kick found Toone who shot from distance but her effort was deflected out for a corner. The corner was taken by Zelem who found Boa-Risa who got ahead of a napping Ayane to turn the ball in from point-blank range to give United the lead. United kept up the pressure. In the 41st minute a mis-controlled ball by Harrop came to Toone who chased the ball down and centred into the box to find Ladd who turned the ball in from close range to make it two for United. With a minimum of 2 minutes added time, the game slowed down as most of the play took place in the middle before half-time.
Second Half.
United again started the second half the strongest of the two teams but almost gifted Tottenham a goal in the 49th minute when a Mannion back-pass was kicked at Naz by Earps but Naz was unable to chase the ball down in what surely what have been a goal for Tottenham. Tottenham pushed their lines up to control the midfield but was unable to find a way into the United box. United almost got a third in the 59th minute when a United counter which saw Smith get away from Harrop and cross into the Tottenham box, Galton got a touch but Korpela reacted well to deny United. United kept coming at Tottenham and in the 62nd minute Thomas stormed down the wing and centred into the United box, Neville missed the ball which came to Galton who tapped in from close range for United’s third of the game.
United could have had a 4th, 2 minutes later when a short Tottenham back-pass was kicked at a United player, the ball could have gone in but Neville reacted first and managed to get the ball away to safety. United had no intention of easing the Tottenham pressure, Toone had an opportunity for the hosts in the 70th minute after good play down the left wing before letting an effort fly from distance but the ball just went over the bar. Tottenham came back at United with Williams and Addison starting the attack for Tottenham after a Zelem error. Tottenham found themselves in a 4 v 2 situation, Williams found Ayane with a pass but her effort was straight at Earps. Tottenham looked more lively after the introduction of Addison but at 3-0, it was a big ask for our number 14 to change the game. Tottenham had an incredible chance in the 79th minute after a Tottenham counter lead to a Neville cross, William got to the ball but somehow headed wide from 6 yards. United continued the strongest of the two teams but the game started to slow slightly towards the last 5 minutes of the game before the game was bought the game to an end
Player of the match.
In what was probably the WORST Tottenham performance of the season, it was very difficult to pick the a player of the match. Every player had a disappointing performance and even though all three goals were errors which SHOULD have been prevented our player of the match has to go to Molly Bartrip. Bartrip had a solid performance, made some important tackles along with Zadorsky and did not deserve to be on the losing side.
Post Match Analysis.
Against a team like United you not only need quick players on the pitch but also a player with technique. Once again Addison should have started this match to cause United problems down the wing. Unfortunately, when Tottenham did attack they were lost down the wings. A few times Ayane felt she was fouled and stopped when players know to play to the whistle, if Ayane put in as much effort in keeping possession as she does in complaining she might deserve regular starts but until she doesn’t grow up and realise that when things don’t go your way you need to keep fighting for the team she will be a bench warmer at best if not best suited in the championship.
This match was just certainly a polar opposite of last week as Tottenham failed to get into the game. Unlike last week when Tottenham dominated but failed to take advantage, United proved once again that Tottenham is short of firepower as United dominated from the start and didn’t let Tottenham off the hook. This has to by far be the worst Tottenham performance this season which is rare for our Lilywhites especially after the dominant performance last weekend. The selection was wrong and that’s where the team stood no chance before even kicking off.
Can we take any positives from this performance? Well, the fact that it was only 3 is a positive because on another day United could have been coming away with 5+ goals. We must now brush ourselves off and learn from this performance and come back stronger next week in the FA Cup COYS!!!
Next match.
Tottenham next match will be at home next Sunday, January 30th in the FA Cup against Leicester. Tickets for the match are not included in membership packs and will need to be purchased separately at the Hive box office or online at the following link https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/tickets/buy-tickets/women/match-tickets/
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Tottenham vs Leicester: FA Cup.
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