Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester United
By Benjamin Tattoo 29/4/26
Above: Ella Morris on the ball Photo: Spurs Women
In a highly anticipated clash between fifth placed Tottenham Hotspur and fourth placed Manchester United, the home side put on an excellent show on and off the pitch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and will be disappointed that they did not come away with all three points.
Team News
Spurs welcomed back Maika Hamano after the Japanese International missed the FA Cup quarter final against parent club Chelsea. Bethany England was a surprise absence from the side and Hannah Wijk was missing after her season ending injury, sustained on international duty.
Manchester United were boosted with Millie Turner being able start, despite being expected to miss the game. Ella Toone and Ella Wangerheim returned from injury, joining Melvine Malard on the bench. Joint top scorer Elisabeth Terland missed out.
The Action
The first half was all Spurs, who dominated possession, moving the ball brilliantly with short interchanges in midfield and looking to get fullbacks Julie Blackstad and Ella Morris high up the pitch to provide width.
Blakstad found some space on the edge of the area and her miss-hit cross flew just over the bar. Drew Spence then teed up Signe Gaupset, who’s deflected shot flashed just wide of the post after Matilda Vindberg had found space down the right.
From the resulting corner, Cathinka Tandberg rose highest to head just over, before Spence found space at the edge of the area. Her shot was high and wide.
The hosts’ onslaught continued as on the 38th minute, Tandberg missed a good chance, heading straight at Phallon Tullis-Joyce with the whole goal to aim at from eight yards out. United were grateful for Maya Le Tissier, who’s challenge distracted the Swedish striker.
Before half time, Tullis-Joyce punched out well from underneath her post from an another dangerous in-swinging corner with the away side seemingly relieved to hear the half-time whistle blow. The reds looked devoid of ideas, with only Jess Park and Jade Riviere looking confident going forwards.
Marc Skinner looked to his bench to try and wrestle some momentum in the game with Malard replacing Simi Awujo. It had a positive effect, with United looking to get the ball and bodies forwards faster.
After Olivia Holdt’s bouncing effort was tipped behind by Tullis-Joyce, Spurs playing out from defence nearly cost them twice in quick succession.
First, United won the ball high up the pitch, quickly working the ball to Malarde, who ran at the defence before seeing her shot palmed away by Lize Kop. The France international then headed United’s best chance wide at the back post from Rivere’s excellent cross.
A moment of magic from Vindberg nearly opened the scoring when she brilliantly nutmegged Fridonlina Rolfö, but her goal-bound shot was well blocked by Turner.
After Morris had won a free-kick in an excellent position, Vindberg’s excellent low cross found the full back in the area, but she poked the ball just wide.
In the 76th minute, there was a let off for Kop as she spilt substitute Toone’s shot, but Toko Koga reacted first to clear.
The game became much more open, as both sides began to tire. Malard had a shot deflected wide before the lively Vindberg carried the ball at pace, but her shot was just about kept out by Tullis-Joyce.
After a stretching Spence had missed the target at the back post from close range, the Lilywhite’s poor finishing continued when Lenna Gunning-Williams ran clear of the defence after cleverly eluding Le Tissier. Unfortunately, her shot lacked power and Tullis-Joyce was able to make a comfortable save.
With added time played, the fans of both sides held their breath as Tullis-Joyce joined her teammates in the Spurs box for the final corner of the game, but Kop commanded her box well to claim the corner.
Analysis
An entertaining day on an off the pitch for Spurs ended in frustration. An excellent pre-match display of T-Shirt cannons, DJ beats and interactive competitions was matched by a fast-paced confident display on the pitch.
However, for all their good play and 42 touches in the opposition penalty area, the Lilywhites hit the target just five times from 22 shots and lacked a ruthlessness that they will need, if they are to challenge for the Champions League places next season.
Three points from their last two matches will bring them their highest ever WSL points tally, and there is lots of positives for Martin Ho to build on next season
United may now feel that qualifying for the Champions League for the second season running is firmly out of their hands, despite climbing back up to third in the league, one point ahead of Arsenal.
However, the Gunners three games in hand gives them a huge advantage. Despite strong investment over the winter transfer window the Red Devils injuries have continued to rack up.
With in-form Brighton and Chelsea still left to face, Marc Skinner’s side will need to play far better if they are to finish the season strongly.
Teams: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-2-3-1): Kop, Morris, A Nildén, Koga, Blaksted, Spence ©, Gaupset, Hamano, Holdt (Summanen 82’), Vindberg, Tandberg (Gunning-Williams 81’)
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Tullis-Joyce, Riviere, Turner (George 88’), Le Tissier ©, Lundkvist (Sandberg 63’), Naaslund, Miyazawa, Park, Awujo (Malarde 45’), Rolfö (Wangerheim 74’), Schüller (Toone 63’)
Referee: Melissa Burgin
Attendance: 7,310
Follow Impetus on social media:
@ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram and TikTok.
impetusfootball.org 