Ahead of the Spurs vs Brighton WSL clash, I described the fixture as "[feeling] like a must-win for Tottenham." Well, they did win, and it showed just how my progress has been made in such a short period of time under new boss Martin Ho.
Spurs didn't play well for the whole 90 minutes. The closest they have come to dong that was against Everton at Goodison Park. However, the first half was one of the most impressive showings from the side in a long time. The game started fairly evenly, but it was clear Tottenham meant business. Jess Naz, back in front of her own fans after enduring racist abuse on social media, was causing real trouble on the wing.
Spurs scored what turned out to be the winner in that opening 45 minutes. Cathinka Tandberg, who else, was at the far post to finish off a lovely flowing move down the left wing from Naz and Olivia Holdt. In the second half, the hosts had to dig in more. However, Lize Kop was never under huge pressure, the Seagulls clearly missing the influence of Fran Kirby, something manager Dario Vidošić acknowledged after the match.
Tottenham rode their luck too. Brighton should have had at least one penalty, when Nilden dived into a tackle on Kiko Seike in the second half. "We were a little bit hard done by", is how the Vidošić put things post-match. He might be less diplomatic when he sees the replays.
Happy Ho Praises Strong Defensive Display
Martin Ho was in positive spirits after the game, and seemed particularly pleased keeping another clean sheet. "Defensively I demand a lot, because I know that can turn the game," he said. Claire Hunt and Toko Koga kept Lionesses hero Michelle Agyemang quiet. Eveliina Summanen and Drew Spence held the middle of the pitch well and it never felt like Brighton got on top of them.
"We working really hard for each other," Summanen commented. She added that the team is "trying to be front-footed, winning the ball so that we're higher up as well."
The manager might reslish the resilience his players are starting to show, but what I found most enjoyable was some of the slick passing moves. Tandberg is linking superbly, bringing others into the game. Beth England is finding pockets of spaces. Spence played through the lines well. It is possible that Spurs are actually... good. They sit above Arsenal in the WSL.
Let's just not think too much about having to face Chelsea next time out.
I was seated in block E, which gave me a great view of the Spurs attack in the first half. This was the most solid team(i.e shape) and team performance I’ve seen. Almost Ancelotti like, how Ho has got the best out of everyone in the squad. Naz was mostly playing down the left last season, which didn’t suit her. Now she’s a RW(and a bit of a license to stretch the back line) with very less defensive responsibilities which has got the best out of her. Beth was the lone ST for most of last season, lacked support but now as a second striker mostly down the right with players around and ahead of her. Tinka seems to have settled in really well and is a great pressing machine, and also a bully in a good way. The backline is solid and the CM combination as well. There are a bit of weaknesses in a few areas - Evelina is a bit slow to track back during counter attacks. And Nev was dribbled past easily few times, but it was her first start and I’m a fan of hers anyway.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting. Good points. The change is a short space of time is really significant, I think.
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