Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs Women vs Leicester City Women | Full Match | 2025/26  Tottenham Hotspur

Signe Gaupset has claimed back-to-back HSBC Player of the Match awards after she once again starred in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leicester City in the fourth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

Retaining her spot in the starting XI after an impressive debut last weekend, where she was named the Barclays Women’s Super League and the Club’s Player of the Match, Signe was inspirational in the heart of our midfield and produced moments of magic for two of our goals at Brisbane Road.

Having won possession back on the far left-hand side at the midway point of the first half, the 20-year-old weaved herself past three Leicester players before driving inside and into a shooting position and, although her low drive was palmed away by Janina Leitzig, captain Bethany England was there to slot home on the rebound from a tight angle to break through the visitors’ defence.

Needing a second goal to put ourselves in a healthy position in the contest, Signe won the ball high up the pitch before charging down the left channel and to the byline. She pulled it back to Drew Spence just inside the centre of the box and the midfielder slammed home our second on 74 minutes.

Registering her first assist in Lilywhite, the Norway international made way in the closing stages of the contest in E10 before Lenna Gunning-Willams wrapped up the victory in stoppage time, rolling home her first since November, 2022.

Pape Matar Sarr has won the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal for a second time!

The midfielder’s side triumphed 1-0 after extra time against host nation Morocco in a controversial final on Sunday night, sealing a second AFCON title in four years.

Pape, who was also part of the Senegal squad that lifted the trophy in 2022, was an unused substitute as Pape Gueye’s extra-time goal clinched victory in Rabat.

Many of Senegal’s players had earlier left the field after a disallowed goal followed by the awarding of a stoppage-time penalty to Morocco. Brahim Diaz’s Panenka spot-kick was saved when the game eventually resumed, before Senegal won it in the additional half-hour.

A Europa League winner with us last year, Pape’s sole appearance in the tournament came in Senegal’s third and final group stage match, a 3-0 victory over Benin. He was on the bench for their other six games.

He will now return to Hotspur Way with another winner’s medal – congratulations, Pape!

Here are the details you need to know ahead of Monday night’s (19 January) Adobe Women’s FA Cup fifth round draw.

The draw will take place at approximately 7pm (UK) live on Adobe Women’s FA Cup YouTube channel and will also be streamed on Channel 4 and TNT Sports’ YouTube channels.

Following the fourth round ties over this weekend, there are now 16 teams left at this stage of the competition, including FA Women’s National League Division One South East side Chatham Town, who are now the lowest-ranked team in the hat.

We are ball number 10.

The ties drawn are scheduled to take place across the weekend of 21/22 February.

We progressed to the fifth round of the competition after an emphatic 3-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday afternoon. Bethany England fired us ahead in the first half before Drew Spence doubled our advantage in the final quarter. Academy graduate then grabbed our third in stoppage time to book our place in the next stage of the cup.

Martin Ho was pleased with large parts of our performance in the 3-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday as we progressed to the fifth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

Having faced the Foxes last weekend in the Barclays Women’s Super League, running out 1-0 winners in that contest, our Head Coach also spoke about the improvement from that game, particularly in the attacking third as we put three past them on this occasion.

Bethany England opened the scoring midway through the first half, slotting home from a tight angle after Signe Gauspet, who was influential once again, saw her effort parried away by Janina Leitzig. We had to patiently wait to extend our advantage, and withstand some pressure from the visitors, but Drew Spence was on hand to double our lead on 74 minutes, with Signe getting the assist.

Then, in the first minute of stoppage time, our two subsitutes linked up to wrap up the victory – Matilda Nilden was denied a goal on her debut after an impressive run into the box but our Academy graduate Lenna Gunning-Williams was there on the rebound to convert her first goal since November, 2022, and secure our spot in the hat for Monday night’s draw.

“I thought it was pleasing in large part,” Martin told us, speaking to SPURSPLAY after the game. “There were lots of moments where we were very good with the ball, very influential and we probably created more big opportunities than we did in the previous game against them – and today we took some of those chances.

"They came near the end, but I think we were persistent in putting pressure on them and forcing them back. Sometimes in games you need to do that. When teams defend low, you must be prepared to break them down. We were patient but still composed enough to take the finishes.

“You always want to score because it settles the nerves. You also want to make sure you capitalise on opportunities when they come your way. A 1–0 scoreline can be difficult because the opposition grows in confidence the longer the game goes on. You can get a little edgy, but the second goal came at the right time and settled us down. After that, we pushed and pushed again. We got into some really good moments, so overall it was really pleasing.”

While the focus will be in front of goal, another strong defensive display saw us preserve our ninth clean sheet of the campaign and, while Martin admitted that Leicester created too many chances, he credited the clean sheet to the ‘whole team’.

“Clean sheets build confidence and belief within the group,” he added. “If I’m being brutally honest, we maybe got away with a few moments today. We gave them too many chances in our build-up during the second half and allowed some counterattacks in the first half. That’s something we can tidy up.

“That said, the clean sheet is a credit to the whole team and the way we defend together. There are still moments where we need to be tighter, because it could have been different if they had taken their chances.”

Two moments of brilliance from Signe Gaupset helped us overcome Leicester City 3-0 to book our place in the fifth round of the Women's FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.

A recent arrival from SK Brann, the midfielder was at her creative best against the Foxes, producing two pieces of magic to unlock the visitors' defence in an initially tight contest at Brisbane Road.

Making her mark on 24 minutes, our number eight first weaved delightfully past three Leicester players before driving into a shooting position. Frustratingly, her effort from 20 yards couldn't quite beat Foxes goalkeeper Janina Leitzig, who produced the save, but Bethany England was alive to the loose ball and pounced to break the deadlock.

With 74 minutes on the clock, Gaupset was at it again, this time winning the ball high up before charging down the left channel and into the box. Once at the byline, she looked up to spot Drew Spence on the edge of the area, and the midfielder did the rest, forcing the ball through Leitzig and in.

We then wrapped up the victory in added time as debutant Matilda Nilden's parried effort fell to the feet of Lenna Gunning-Williams to roll home and see us comfortably into round five.

Then victory was our 10th of the season under Martin Ho so far and got us off to the perfect start in our FA Cup campaign. The draw for the next round will take place on Monday 19 January.

More to follow...

We can confirm our starting XI and substitutes for today’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Leicester City (kick-off 12noon, live on SPURSPLAY).

Forward Maika Hamano earns her first start as the only change made by Martin Ho for this FA Cup clash at Brisbane Road.

The Japan international, who joined us on loan from Chelsea earlier this month, replaces Drew Spence, who is named amongst the substitutes.

Signe Gaupset retains her spot in midfield after an impressive debut last weekend against the Foxes in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

Fellow January signing Julie Blakstad is named in the matchday squad for the first time since her move to north London at the start of this month and will start on the substitutes bench.

Starting XI: Kop, A. Nilden, Gaupset, England (c), Holdt, Rybrink, Vinberg, Hunt, Hamano, Summanen, Koga.

Young forward Oli Irow enjoyed a dream debut for loan club Mansfield Town on Saturday, coming off the bench to score twice in a 3-0 home victory over Port Vale.

The 19-year-old forward, who joined the Stags earlier this month, was sent on as a half-time substitute for what was his senior competitive debut.

And he instantly endeared himself to the Mansfield faithful, giving his side the lead just 10 minutes after his introduction when he tucked home after visiting goalkeeper Ben Amos had saved Rhys Oates’ effort.

Will Evans doubled the hosts’ lead four minutes later before Oli struck again in spectacular style mid-way through the second half, curling in brilliantly from the left side of the area to complete the scoring.

The attacker was given a rousing reception by Mansfield’s supporters at the final whistle – fully deserved after such an impactful debut.

The Stags are 10th in League One, with a trip to Stevenage – a ground Oli knows so well, having been a regular for our Under-21s over the last couple of seasons – coming up next Saturday.

Thomas Frank spoke to the media at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after our 2-1 loss against West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday.

Here's what he had to say...

How do you assess a game like that?

Thomas: "Emotionally, extremely tough. Try to assess it with a calm brain. I think there’s a lot of the same things in this game, like the Bournemouth game. We played a very good second half - pushing, coming back in the game, closest to win it, on top of it, creating chances, opportunities, dangerous situations in the box. Without having the cutting edge to score. Both games would have been, with two wins there, would have changed so many things. Both games, if you can't win, don't lose. So, of course, we need to do more, in the two goals we conceded in Bournemouth we already spoke about that, and today as well. We gave them nothing away for 45 plus five minutes of injury time, second half. Then we gave a chance away, and a corner, and a goal there. Which of course we can't do. I think the boys worked so hard, did everything right second half. I think first half we started well, the first 15, very well. Then, typical in this spell we are in, they scored on a deflected shot. We can always discuss a few bits we could have done better before, but still a deflected shot. Then I think we lose control, and a little bit coolness and calmness, I think we were rushing too much, we were throwing the ball away too quick. All that we got addressed and changed second half. Unfortunately it couldn't drop for us."

You've had a full week to train and you've spoken about working on the attack - why is there still no cutting edge?

Thomas: "I think you could see signs of it. That has really looked right, but of course, we can only talk about it here, but Kolo looked sharper, Xavi got in some top positions, Mathys as well, Wilson as well. It's good to have Dom on the pitch, but I also think it's a sign that the goal is scored by Cuti, our captain and centre-back. We didn't have enough chances, or the cutting edge from the offensive players on the day. That of course is no criticism, it's just reality. We didn't have the cutting edge, the perfect weighted pass, the sharp finish, and that we need to keep working on, and keep going."

How difficult was it to hear 'you're getting sacked in the morning' from the whole South Stand?

Thomas: "I've probably had better times, it's probably not the best time of course, but I understand, I'm the man in charge. So, the blame will go to me. That's fair, no problem in that sense. As long as they are backing the players, doing everything they can, to support them and drive them forward, that's what we do, and we will keep going forward.

You've had eight defeats in 14 - why do you think you deserve more time?

Thomas: "If you're not winning enough, we know you will not get enough support from the fans, but when we're winning, it will change, when we start winning again. Which we will do. I'm not in doubt of that. I think also you can look a little bit at the performances. Let's say the Bournemouth and the Villa and this game here, if the players stop running, or stop doing anything, or not working hard, and we are not the team that's closest to winning, then you can say okay. I think the team is working very hard. And I still think, and I know it sounds a little bit crazy, that we are close to something very good, than further away. I think you all saw the game today, we could easily have won this one 2-1. I think it's no excuses, but also the reason we're a little bit down to the bare bones with players, and we also need some of the offensive players to score a goal or two. All that is difficult for me to do like that and click with a finger, but I can promise that I'm sitting here, giving everything, every single day. I feel the trust from everyone and there's only one way, we need to keep going."

Why did you take off Mathys Tel?

Thomas: "Yeah, but I need to take decisions, of course. So, I had to take one offensive player off. I feel Wilson is a bit better to the right and wanted two strikers on the pitch. So, that was the decision. There was nothing wrong with Mathys' performance."

Are you aware that your team selection was doing the rounds on social media last night?

Thomas: "Yeah, my press officer told me."

How do you feel about that? It's happened before as well this season and it feels like there's a leak somewhere?

Thomas: "It's not optimal. I don't think it's the first time in world history or football history, it happened also in other clubs. Of course, I prefer it not to happen."

Your predecessor last season talked about there being a mole inside the club? Are you worried about that?

Thomas: "No, I'm not."

You talk about how the players kept fighting in the second half. Is that what gives you the most hope that you can still turn this around?

Thomas: "Yeah, but I always, we say that they play for the head coach or me. I hope the players are playing for the club, the team, each other, the fans, me, the staff, ownership, everything. They play for their families. That's what I hope. But I also know, and that I know very well, if you are building a good culture and someone who can get through tough times, you need to see the team running, and especially in tough times. I see a team that is running in tough times. I also see a team that's doing everything they can to turn this around. I also think you can see that in quite a bit of the performances, even when it's very tough."

What's your message to those fans who were overwhelmed by the frustration in the end?

Thomas: "I think it also seems to be the perfect storm at the moment in many ways. We have a last-minute defeat. I think when everyone feels that everyone has given everything, including the fans, to back the team, and you get nothing out of it and you get a sucker punch in injury time, it's unbelievably tough to take. It's unbelievably tough to take for the fans, for the players, for me, everyone involved. And football is emotion, so I understand why it's tough. I can promise everyone it's extremely tough for me as well. So, I think everyone involved in football knows this is just tough. But there's only one way. It's keep going. You can't feel sorry for yourself. Of course, I think probably tonight you're a little bit down, but then you should go again. There's only one way. That's going forward."

Yves Bissouma was back, and also what did you make of Vinai Venkatesham’s open letter?

Thomas: "Two things, first good to see Bissouma back. He has been injured for a long time and then he was in the Africa Cup of Nations and came on the pitch and did well. Two, yes I have seen the letter and I took six to eight positive things out of the letter. Not apparently the negative thing. What I take out of that letter is that a club and an executive team with Vinai on top that are aligned and know this is a big transitional phase. It’s a super tanker we’re turning in the right direction and there are a lot of good signs behind the scenes and also in some of the performances, but of course when you lose last minute to one of your rivals, it is very emotional, and there will be noise. That noise we need to keep out there and get head down and keep walking, keep doing the right thing."

We fought back and took the ascendency in the second half as Cuti Romero levelled with a towering header on 64 minutes, only for West Ham to snatch victory in the third minute of added time, Callum Wilson poking home from close range from a corner.

Speaking to us afterwards, Thomas reflectecd: “I think we started well in the first 15 of the first half, then we concede the goal and we lost, I think, structure, coolness, calmness and rushed it a little bit too much.

“I think the second half was good, the small adjustment we all did in there together, that the team came out very well, great response, got the equaliser, felt we were on top of it, creating good opportunities - I think we're the team that should have scored the 2-1 goal, which of course will change everything.

“Then it's classic in the situation right now, where it's not going our way, that we concede the second one, where of course we need to do better. We haven't conceded a chance in the second half and then concede a chance and the goal.

“It's such a frustrating time. Of course, it's emotional and tough for everyone involved in the club - players, fans, me, staff, everyone supporting the club. It’s such a tough thing to take. And in both situations, it's Bournemouth and this, both games – if we can’t win, don’t lose, because then there's just a tiny bit more positivity and you can go forward.”

There is no time to dwell, however, as we’re back in action in an important UEFA Champions League MD7 (of eight in the league phase) against Borussia Dortmund back in N17 on Tuesday evening (8pm).

Thomas added: “Of course, it's extremely tough right now for everyone involved. Extremely tough. It’s 24 hours where you can be emotionally down or frustrated or whatever it is, but then we have to go again. We have to train, recover tomorrow, and we have to find a way to be ready for Tuesday against Dortmund.”