The WSL is back after the international break. Tottenham’s last WSL outing saw Spurs travel to the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal ran out 4-0 winners. This week Tottenham welcomed Championship Champions, Liverpool to Brisbane Road in what was Tottenham’s first home game of the season. The last time these two met was in last year’s Conti Cup Quarter-Finals, where a Williams goal was enough to put Tottenham through to the Semi-Finals.
Lineups.
Tottenham 3-4-3: Korpela in goal, Turner, Bartrip and Zadorsky made the back three. Neville and Ale as wings backs with James and Summanan making up the Tottenham midfield. The Tottenham front three was made of Bizet down the right, Spence down the left with karczewska in the number 9 role.
Liverpool 3-4-3: Laws in goal, Flaherty, Fahey and Matthews made up the Liverpool back line, Koivisto, Kearns, Furness and Hinds made up the Liverpool Midfield whilst the front three was made of Lawley down the right, Daniels down the left and Stengel in the number 9 role.
First half.
Tottenham started the strongest of the two teams and it took Tottenham just three minutes to have their first attempt at goal. Bizet stole the ball in midfield before shooting from distance but her effort was over Laws bar. Tottenham kept coming at Liverpool and a minute later Neville played a one-two with Spence before cutting in from the left and shooting with her right but the ball was gathered by Laws with ease. Tottenham continued to pin the visitors back and in the 11th minute, Bizet latched onto a pass from Spence before sprinting down the right centring into the Liverpool box but her cross took a defection off Fahey who put the ball into her own goal to give Tottenham the lead.
Liverpool struggled to get out of their half as Tottenham looked for a second and should have had one in the 19th minute. Spence picked up a loose ball and unleash a rocket but her effort struck Laws right-hand post as the visitors were let off. Four minutes later Tottenham came close again when Neville latched onto a Karczewska ball but Laws spilled the ball as Neville went in for a 50/50 ball, the ball came out to Bizet who shot from distance but the Liverpool shot-stopper recovered well to deny the Norwegian. Liverpool countered Tottenham two minutes later with a rare attack, Hinds got a cross-shot away from the left but her effort flew out of bounds.
Tottenham continued to dominate possession but their biggest chance for a second goal came in the 40th minute when Neville latched onto a long Turner ball, Neville miscontrolled the ball but Karczewska recovered passing back to Neville who unleashed a shot striking the Liverpool crossbar as once again the woodwork came to Liverpool rescue. The fourth official indicated a minimum of 2 minutes of added time as Tottenham continued to push Liverpool back ending the half the strongest of the two teams.
Second half.
Tottenham started as they finished the first half and had their first chance of the second half in the 52nd minute when a Spence cross was only cleared as far as Summanen, the Finn unleashed a shot but her effort was well saved by Laws in the bottom left corner. Liverpool began to grow into the game and had their first clear chance in the 57th minute when a Liverpool cross was deflected away as far as Daniels, but her effort was straight at Korpela.
Liverpool came close again in the 67th minute when Holland got away from Spence before shooting with her left but her effort was just wide of Korpela’s goal as Liverpool looked livelier and searched for an equaliser. Liverpool continued to dominate the second half but only managed a handful of half chances. It wasn’t until the final 10 minutes that Liverpool really tested Tottenham and their defence. Holland met a long cross in the 84th minute, centring into the Tottenham box but the ball rolled across the face of the Tottenham goal, lucky for Tottenham no Liverpool player was available to tap the ball into the net.
Two minutes later Liverpool came close again, this time Roberts put an excellent cross into the Tottenham box but Matthews was unable to reach what surely would have been the equaliser for the visitors as Tottenham again was let off the hook. Stengel came close in the 90th minute when she found herself one-on-one but Bartrip tracked back well putting Stengel off before getting her shot away as Korpela made a match-winning save to deny Liverpool. The fourth official indicated a minimum of 5 minutes of added time. The game became scrappy as both teams became desperate with lots of heavy fouls committed which saw Summanan and Hinds pick up yellow cards before the referee brought the game to an end.
Player of the match.
Many players could have taken the player of the match but as difficult as it was we feel that Celin Bizet deserves this recognition. The young Norwegian was lively and caused the Liverpool defence many problems as well and linked up well with her new teammates.
Post match analysis.
Tottenham had the best performance I’ve seen in the first 45 minutes, they looked dangerous on the attack, Celin and Neville down the wings tore Liverpool apart and should have gone in at halftime at least 3 up. Unfortunately, the second half was a different story. Credit to Matt Beards team who had to change things up. We know how dangerous Liverpool can be when they have the ball as they demonstrated against Chelsea and maybe another day those chances could have resulted in a different ending for our Lilywhites.
The Tottenham defence held strong in keeping out the Liverpool attackers and with the introduction of Holland, she and Lawley caused Tottenham many problems but Zadorsky, Bartrip and Turner were on top of their game. We don’t know if that was down to Matt Beards tactics or an error by coach skinner but after James was Substituted, Tottenham was holding on for dear life as attacks became minimal and the host dominated the remainder of the game.
So what about the attackers? Celin Bizet had a great game and seems to have settled in nicely, the goal wasn’t the prettiest but they all count and another 3 points on the board is what matters. No doubt we will see many more goals from the number 14 and seeing what she has done for Norway no doubt soon be scoring top-class goals for Tottenham. It was good to see Karczewska up front but unfortunately, it wasn’t her best game as she was unable to turn in any of her opportunities but no doubt will build a strong relationship with Bizet, James and Graham once she returns from injury and will be knocking them in very soon. Up next is City at Brisbane Road and our Lilywhites need to be on top form if we are to get anything from that game. In this team we trust and can’t wait to see our Lilywhites bring it Sunday, COME ON YOU SPURS!!!
Next match.
Tottenham’s next match is at home to Manchester City on October 22nd. Tickets for the match can be purchased over at https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/tickets/buy-tickets/womens-tickets/ and range from £7.00 for Adults, £4.40 for young adults to £3.50 for Juniors.
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