Spurs vs Liverpool in the WSL ended how it started - with focus on an ambulance. The kick off was delayed for 15 minutes as the required one was not in place. The end of the game was delayed as Liverpool's Mia Enderby was transported to hospital in that vehicle. She went down as the clock ticked into extra time. After receiving treatment on the pitch for 13 minutes, she was taken off on a trolley and taken to hospital.
In between, this was a rather enjoyable game and a good performance from Spurs. They went behind against the run of play, but generally dominated, especially in the first half. The goals that secured the 2-1 victory came from slick moves and crosses. Olivia Holdt got the assist for the first, beating her opponent and putting it on the head of Toko Koga. The Dane was at the heart of everything good her team did. The Japanese continues to impress alongside Clare Hunt. The Tottenham second goal came from a break down the left. Amanda Nilden crossed the ball this time. Bethany England was never going to miss.
The Spurs captain was removed approaching the hour mark replaced by the benched Tinka Tandberg. That was part of a triple substation. Ashley Neville and Martha Thomas came on for Josefine Rybrink and Jess Naz respectively. Tandberg came close to continuing her fantastic scoring form on 73 minutes, but was stopped by a last gasp challenge.
All-in-all, Tottenham Hotspur Women could, and should, have won by more. The disruption caused by Enderby's distress at the end of the game could easily have seen them lose concentration, and an equaliser. However, they managed to see it through for the deserved three points.
Martin Ho Happy With Win After International Break
Speaking to Martin Ho after the game, it's clear the Spurs boss wasn't thrilled with every aspect of his side's performance. Indeed, he said he only thought they really played well after 75 minutes. However, the key was getting the job done after his players had travelled around the world during the international break. "The international break disconnects you a little bit," he said. "And then when you have limited days to prepare, you're trying to get everyone back together and there's probably tiredness there from travelling. So, no, you can't ask anymore.”
He said he made triple substitution "just to lift the energy again," adding that he "thought there was areas we could get into and fresh legs would have probably give us that, give us a little bit more in terms of off the ball, especially in the duels." Ho also explained that he was keen to make sure players get opportunities too.
A one goal lead is always risky. Ho said his changes were part of the hunt for the third goal which would undoubtedly have seen his side home. "The emphasis behind [the changes] was trying to push for the third goal because if you get the third goal it probably gives you more of a margin and probably a little bit more of a cushion and that's what I wanted to push for," he said. Removing Naz, who was playing well and had not featured for England, for Thomas, who has struggled to score (to put it mildly), struck me as odd.
On the goals, Spurs do seem to be struggling to put the ball in the net enough. Decent defensive performances have got the points. Take the Brighton game, for example. However, Ho said after this match that "I like to try and score more as much as we can," suggesting that he's not quite happy with the return from his forwards yet.
Hold on to Holdt
Olivia Holdt is thriving under Martin Ho and is now an essential part of the Tottenham Women's team. She was once again the best player on the pitch. Her manager described the Dane as "a wonderful talent," adding that you can see the ability." Ho believes that "her talent doesn't have a ceiling... I think she can do as much as she wants." It's a bold statement and one that is probably aimed, at least in part, at the Spurs board. The club must get Olvia Holdt to sign a new long term deal.
It's not just the manager who is keen to hold on to the midfielder. Defender Clare Hunt said after the game: "I think Olivia Holdt is making an enormous difference in midfield. She's managing to turn and create a lot of problems for the opposition back line." The Aussie is not wrong.
Spurs Women Continue Good Start to Season
Spurs Women have started the season well. Crucially, they are beating the teams they need to beat - i.e. everyone other than Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal and Man Utd. They have only lost to Man City and Chelsea so far. It is, obviously, a marked improvement. Another test awaits as they travel to London City Lionesses next week.
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