Tottenham Hotspur 0-3 Manchester United
by Connor Wroe
At the start of the day the teams were one place and three points apart, with Spurs having the better start to their new life in the WSL sitting in fifth with two wins out of three whilst Manchester United were sixth with three points after their recent 2-0 win over Liverpool kicking off their campaign. Both teams have played well so far in their new home, putting in good performances in every game, despite Spurs having a better start on paper, United had a tough start playing both Manchester City and Arsenal losing both 1-0 in tightly fought games. A win for either side today could prove vital in their quest to stay up. Last time around, Manchester United beat Spurs in both fixtures in the Championships. They were hoping to do the same again this time in the Super League.
The Hive, home of Barnet FC, London Bees and Tottenham Hotspur Women is a brilliant stadium, the pre match chants for United could be heard showing there to be a seemingly strong presence from the travelling supporters around the stadium. Manchester United’s exciting new youngster Lauren James was in the starting line up again hoping to have as good as a performance as she did against Liverpool where she scored a fabulous solo goal.
Spurs started off proceedings and lost the ball within seconds of kick-off with Lauren James dispossessing Spurs in their own box. If it wasn’t for some superb goalkeeping from Spencer, United would have been 1-0 up after a scramble in the box. The post and the keeper denying United 30 seconds in. The playing style that Spurs wanted to implement of keeping possession was working for them going forward but in their defensive third it seemingly put them under pressure due to the pace of United attacking. The opening ten minutes was a captivating display of end to end football with both teams creating chances but failing to do anything with them.
United creating the better chances of the two, with the game being very open early on for both sides. United’s pressure on Spurs finally paid off on the thirteenth minute mark when Galton picked up the ball and drove at the Spurs defence. She shot but there was enough bodies in the box to block the shot but the ball only managed to find Hansson who stayed calm under pressure, took a touch then slotted in a near post to put the visitors ahead.
Every time Spurs managed to get past the pressure from United within their own half, the visitors’ defence stayed disciplined and dealt with everything Spurs threw at them. The game could have gotten worse for Tottenham 20 minutes into play Godfrey went down holding her knee after a fair challenge from James seemingly lead to a potential hyper extension. Luckily for Tottenham she seemed alright to continue with the game.
Tottenham struggled to defend against United’s fast movement. Every time the ball game into the box it was a red shirt which was first to it. Luckily for Spurs, United have issues so far this season of not being able to take chances. The home team struggling to do anything in the first thirty minutes with the game being all United. Yet one thing that will concern the management is not converting those chances.
The final ten minutes of the half saw Spurs manage to find a foothold in the game, but failing to do much with the ball. It was 1-0 to United at the break with Spurs going in happy to only be trailing by a single goal based on the number of chances created by United.
Manchester United started off the second half with Lauren James hungry for a goal. She glided past the Spurs defence several times but failed to finish – the one thing that is missing from her game
The high pressure and fast play from United forced a goal fifty one minutes in with the United attack being poorly dealt with and the Spurs defence getting dispossessed on the edge of the box. Galton picked up the ball and charged into the box. She put in a low cross which Neville turned into her own net to give the visitors the second goal they needed.
Spurs rallied and Furness, who can hit the ball had a wonderful strike from around twenty-two yards out and forced a marvellous save from the United keeper Mary Earps.
United had another chance following a fabulous counterattack from a Tottenham corner lead by James they opened up the home side’s defence and Galton found herself with a one on one. Spencer was quick off her line to close the space down. Galton shot was saved but bounced over the keeper to then be cleared off the line by Filbey but only as far as Stigsworth who dragged her shot wide of the far post.
The final ten minutes saw Manchester United doing what was needed – sitting back but staying disciplined in defence. Lauren James however got sent off on 90th minute for a second bookable offence. She had played so well. From the resulting free-kick given away, United spring a counterattack with a fantastic first touch from Galton who ran down the wing before playing in a perfect cross to the feet of Jane Ross who couldn’t miss and put it in to make it 3-0.
A special mention needs to go out to the United fans who made the long trip down form Manchester for todays game. They kept on singing throughout the game and created a fantastic atmosphere, whilst the Tottenham fans stayed quiet. Was this the difference in the game?
Connor Wroe is a regular contributor to Impetus and “follows all things sport – both men and women”.
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