Khadija Shaw and a fabulous strike from Lauren Hemp ensures that City leave London with their first away win of the season.
Spurs hosted Manchester City at their new home ground, Brisbane Road. City traveled to London hoping to build on their emphatic 4-0 win last week against Leicester, Spurs were hoping to do the same after an impressive 1-0 win over Liverpool.
The game had an unfortunate start as Spurs forward, Ellie Brazil was involved in a collision with City keeper, Ellie Roebuck. Brazil, who was making her first start for the club was stretched off in the opening five minutes. The early injury seemed to have an impact on the game as the crowd quietened down, this filtered down onto the pitch and resulted in the game becoming rather disjointed and flat.
It didn’t take long for City to become dominant over Spurs and the Manchester side had a few early chances. Spurs struggled to get out of their own half and City were presented with the majority of the possession and dictated play. It wasn’t quite gelling for City in front of goal, with both Shaw and Casparij seeing their attempts saved by Spencer.
Despite largely controlling the game, City looked vulnerable at the back and Ashleigh Neville, on her 50th Spurs appearance, looked to capitalise on the shaky back line, as she lead the press.
The first major chance of the game fell to City defender Esme Morgan as she met a wonderful free kick from Chloe Kelly, and the header was put just wide of the left post.
A deflected Hasegawa shot from outside of the box, saw Spurs keeper Becky Spencer turn the ball around the post for a corner. From the subsequent corner, Greenwood delivered a precise out swinging cross that was met by the head of Khadija Shaw, to give City the deserved lead on 41 minutes. A perfectly placed powerful header from the leagues current top scorer.
As 5 minutes of stoppage time was added in the first half, Spurs were presented with their first real chance of the game. Drew Spence did really well to find Jessica Naz via a terrific through ball. Naz battled away from Morgan, unfortunately the end product was missing as the cross from her went over Nevilles head.
At the start of the second half Spurs started higher up the pitch and looked more threatening. However, it didn’t take long for the visitors to double their lead. Spurs player, Angharad James was caught in possession by Shaw, who picked up the ball, took one touch and placed the ball in the bottom left corner, for her second goal of the game. A perfect start to the half by City, who capitalised on an unfortunate self inflicted error.
Spurs kept a strong defensive shape and grew into the game more, they where managing to find their way into the City half but it wasn’t quite clicking in the final third.
Shaw looked hungry to get her hat-rick, and she had chances. Casparij delivered a ball along the 6 yard box, but Bartrip denied Shaw a tap in for her hat-rick with a good bit of defending.
Spurs continued to show more attacking intent in the second half. There was a great bit of play by Neville down the right hand side as she nutmegged Morgan and under pressure pulled the ball back to the edge of the box, but the shot was clear of the crossbar.
England star, Lauren Hemp added to the tally as she drove and cut into the box, finding the bottom right hand corner from just inside of the box, leaving Spurs goalkeeper with no chance.
City used all 5 substitutes as they looked to freshen up and rest players, as this game saw the start of three games in 8 days. Spurs looked to the bench to grab a consolation goal.
Former England striker Chioma Ubogagu came on to make her first appearance of the season, after a lengthy 9 ban for an anti-doping violation. With all three points likely secured for City they remained in possession, leaving Spurs chasing the game.
Attention for Spurs now turns to their next game as they face Brighton away next Sunday. City are back in action on Wednesday as they host Blackburn Rovers in the group stage of The Continental League Cup.
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