Spurs kicked off their Continental Cup campaign on Wednesday against Championship side, London City Lionesses. They secured their first win of the season in a routine victory that saw them put four past the visitors.
Tottenham were the dominant team throughout, despite London City’s occasional threat on the counter. They took the lead 15 minutes in when Ria Percival hammered Rosella Ayane’s parried cross into the roof of the net.
London City almost hit back straight away when Alli Murphy rattled the crossbar from 30 yards out. It was the hosts, however, who continued to pressure and doubled their lead on the half hour mark through an Alanna Kennedy free kick.
And five minutes before the break, Spurs had another. Kit Graham played a perfectly weighted ball through the middle to set up Rosella Ayane. The forward broke the offside trap and fired past Yanez one-on-one.
Both sides made changes in the second half as London City put on a much more resolute display. Harley Bennett stood out in particular at the back, cutting out many of Tottenham’s attacking moves.
The final goal came with about ten minutes to play. Ashleigh Neville made one of her breaks down the right side and picked out Angela Addison with a pinpoint cross at the far post. The substitute made no mistake by drilling her effort past the keeper.
Player of the Match
Gemma Davison: She only played for 45 minutes, but Davison certainly left her mark on the game. Her trademark pacy runs down the left flank caused problems for the visitors throughout while her tricky footwork saw her test Shae Yanez on several occasion. She was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet herself.
Moment of the Match
Alanna Kennedy’s free: Tottenham’s second goal was a brilliant set piece. After Ria Percival was taken down just outside the box, Kennedy stepped up to the challenge. She bent a lovely low kick around the wall and into the near corner past the outstretched Shae Yanez. Quality!
Key Takeaways
- Alanna Kennedy’s quality: We are starting to see all of the Australian international’s attributes as she settles into this Tottenham side. In the half that she played, she was the player through which defence transitioned into attack. She has a natural instinct as to what is going on ahead of her, as well as the defensive qualities to protect her back line.
- Tottenham need a finisher: Yes, they scored four but they could and should have won by a bigger margin. A clinical finisher will be key to their success this season. Rosella Ayane led the line and eventually got her goal while Rianna Dean coming off the bench squandered a couple of clear-cut chances. The form of these two, plus Alex Morgan when she’s fit, will be key to Spurs’ chances this year.
- London City dangerous on the counter: London City surprised Spurs numerous times throughout the game with their pacy counter attack. Alli Murphy was their stand-ut player, involved in the best of their chances but the pace of Atlanta Primus, Kallie Balfour in the first half and Juliette Kemppi in the second certainly kept the defence on their toes.
- The wait for Alex Morgan continues: The much awaited debut for the US striker goes on. She was sitting in the stands, rather than on the bench as she returns to fitness but Spurs will want to get her in that starting XI as soon as possible.
