Tottenham Hotspur Women were coming off of three poor results in WSL action — losing big to London City and Chelsea, and a narrow loss to Arsenal due to a poorly-called penalty. It took the bloom off what was an excellent start to the season, and put a serious ding into Spurs’ ambitions to qualify for the Champions League. Today they traveled to the midlands to face newly-promoted Birmingham City, a team that they’ve beaten four straight times in league play but who have showed moments of real danger against quality opponents this season despite a poor record.
Spurs got the result they and Martin Ho were hoping for, romping to a 1-4 away win and propelling themselves, at least for now, into fourth place in the table. Spurs got goals from Julie Blakstad, Olivia Holdt, Signe Gaupset, and Victoria Pelova in a match that was a comfortable win but nonetheless provided some real entertainment value from both clubs.
Martin Ho started with what is likely his strongest available lineup. The likely season-ending ACL injury to club record signing and world-class defender Alice Sombath hurts, and Ho selected Amanda Nilden alongside Toko Koga in the back line. Olivia Holdt, who scored a brace in the cup win over Bristol City midweek, came into the side for Eveliina Summanen, who started last weekend vs. Arsenal.
The match was also significant for Spurs captain Drew Spence, who became the WSL’s all-time appearance leader. An incredible achievement for her.
Spurs huffed and puffed a lot in the first half and had the majority of the possession but despite a flurry of chances they couldn’t find their way past BCFC keeper Baggaley until late in the first half. In the 37th minute, Signe Gaupset chipped a ball towards goal that was somehow kept out by Baggaley, only for Tandberg to cut the ball back to a wide open Julie Blakstad in the box, who fired home to put Spurs ahead. Birmingham City were not toothless though, and had several first half chances and half-chances, mostly on the counter. Toko Koga did a good job to nullify Hurtré as Spurs took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
BCFC had a chance to equalize straight off the second half opening kick through halftime sub Lily Crosthwaite, but otherwise it was all Tottenham early. Future Ballon d’Or winner Olivia Holdt doubled Spurs lead five minutes into the half from an exquisitely placed free kick into the top corner, and Signe Gaupset made it 0-3 with a rifled shot into the bottom corner at 50’.
Birmingham City pulled a goal back midway through the second half off of a Hurtré corner kick after Neve Herron one-timed the corner past Kop at the near post. Spurs midfield substitute Eveliina Summanen had a short stint before picking up a knock of her own and was replaced by Matilda Nilden.
Spurs continued to pile on the pressure and kept shooting whenever given the opportunity — late in the half Victoria Pelova had a strike smartly saved by Baggaley, only for Kirsty Hanson to put the rebound effort off the crossbar. Pelova got her goal in the end, juking her defender in City’s box and scoring an 83’ goal past Baggaley to put Spurs up 1-4. City nearly pulled another goal back late with a few chances including one shot that went off the crossbar, but the match ended 1-4 with Tottenham the victors.
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