Martha Thomas’s ninth aim of the season fired Tottenham Hotspur to a historic maiden victory over Arsenal within the Ladies’s Tremendous League.
Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal entered this fixture eyeing an eighth consecutive league win however the day belonged to his fellow Swedish coach Robert Vilahamn, who claimed a press release outcome at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Underneath the watchful eye of Spurs males’s boss Ange Postecoglou and chairman Daniel Levy, Vilahamn’s crew held agency throughout a decent first half and produced an excellent crew transfer within the 58th minute, which was expertly completed by Thomas.
The guests pushed for a late response, however couldn’t discover a manner via handy Tottenham a 1-0 win and a primary overcome their rivals on the eighth time of asking within the WSL.
The 2 rivals warmed up for this league fixture with an entertaining 3-3 draw within the Conti Cup on Wednesday, however probabilities had been few and much between within the opening levels.
It took till the twelfth minute for the primary alternative of observe when a Caitlin Foord effort deflected large to earn Arsenal a nook. Eidevall’s facet produced a neat brief nook routine and it ought to have resulted within the opener, however Alessia Russo inexplicably headed large from 4 yards.
Spurs had shipped 11 targets of their final two WSL matches, which noticed Vilahamn hand goalkeeper Barbora Votikova a primary league begin and the publish got here to her rescue quickly after when Foord once more minimize inside and rifled a shot towards the woodwork.
Tottenham had been pressured to exchange centre-back Luana Buhler minutes later earlier than Arsenal had penalty appeals waved away after Beth Mead went down after contact from Ashleigh Neville.
The hosts had been in a position to regroup afterwards although and Celin Bizet posed questions of the visiting defence with two harmful runs down the proper.
Arsenal nonetheless seemed the extra threatening and Votikova saved effectively from Frida Maanum not lengthy after Foord had directed one other effort off track to make sure it remained goalless on the break.
Bethany England, solely just lately again from hip surgical procedure, was withdrawn on the break nevertheless it was the away facet who got here out with higher intent. Russo squandered one other high-quality headed alternative from a Mead cross after 50 minutes earlier than Votikova saved effectively from long-range efforts by McCabe and Maanum.
Molly Batrip brilliantly blocked a Mead shot moments later and it appeared Arsenal had been edging nearer to the breakthrough, however they had been surprised by the hosts within the 58th minute.
Underneath strain on the again, Tottenham stored their composure brilliantly and 6 passes after Votikova had possession inside her personal penalty space, Vilahamn’s crew had been down the opposite finish and Thomas had poked residence following Bizet’s perfectly-weighted go.
Arsenal instantly set about discovering a response and Votikova saved Russo’s volley earlier than Eidevall turned to his bench with Vivianne Miedema and prime scorer Stina Blackstenius launched.
The sport needed to be paused within the 83rd minute owing to a medical emergency within the designated away finish and whereas Miedema hooked over within the first minute of 11 added on, Spurs held on for a memorable win.
PA