With the early kick-off time, the sun was bright over the North Bank and clearly causing issues for Tottenham’s defence, as we continued to test their resolve with some floated corner deliveries.
Tottenham’s game plan became clear early on and it was no different from our last meeting in December. Robert Vilahamn’s side were comfortable sitting back and waiting for the right moment to play through our press and catch us on the counter. It almost paid off too as the pacey Jessica Naz raced forward and cut inside, before firing an effort back off the crossbar.
We continued to dominate possession for the remainder of the first-half, often looking for the overlap in wide areas to breach behind Tottenham’s defence, but the crowded penalty area made it difficult to find the killer pass.
Shortly after the restart, however, Kim Little played a searching ball into the area to find the dangerous run of Beth Mead, who took it down with a deft first touch before teeing up Alessia Russo to fire home from close range.
Mead has now become the first player in WSL history to register 40 assists for a single club.
Whatever Eidevall said during his half-time speech, Mead must have been central to it as we continued to play probing passes behind Tottenham’s left back and into the path of our No 9 drifting inside from the wing.
We made some late substitutions to inject energy and see the game out, but the most notable was the return of vice-captain Leah Williamson, stepping out into a sold-out Emirates Stadium for the first time in her career – a special moment for a lifelong Gooner.
Substitute Stina Blackstenius had a chance to double our lead after leading the press and pouncing on a wayward pass, but her effort was saved by Rebecca Spencer and from there we held our shape to ensure we secured all three points.
WHAT IT MEANS
We remain third in the Barclays Women’s Super League table with 34 points from 15 fixtures.
Chelsea sit in second place, level on points but with a game in hand, while league-leaders Manchester City are on 37.
With our next league fixture coming against our London rivals Chelsea, we’re in for an exciting clash at Stamford Bridge.
Before then, we will host Aston Villa at Meadow Par in the semi-finals of the Continental Tyres League Cup on Wednesday night.
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