Tottenham Hotspur’s Women’s Super League (WSL) woes appeared set to continue, but a dramatic comeback saw them end a five-match losing streak with a 1-1 draw at Leicester City. Despite dominating possession throughout, Spurs struggled to find the back of the net, a recurring issue that had seen them slip to ninth in the table. Their attacking challenges were glaring, especially with star forward Bethany England sidelined by injury.
The match unfolded with Spurs controlling the game early on. They created several promising chances, with Martha Thomas going one-on-one with Leicester’s goalkeeper Janina Leitzig but failing to score, her shot saved expertly. Olivia Holdt, Ella Morris, and Jessica Naz all came close before the break, but none could find a way past Leitzig. The first half ended goalless, but it was clear Tottenham’s frustrations were mounting.
Then, disaster struck for Tottenham in the 55th minute. Leicester’s Hannah Cain unleashed a powerful shot that Tottenham’s keeper, Lize Kop, could only parry into the path of Spurs defender Josefine Rybrink. Under pressure, Rybrink inadvertently bundled the ball into her own net, giving Leicester the lead. It was a cruel blow for the visitors, who had controlled much of the match, and it seemed like their woes would continue.
However, Tottenham refused to let their heads drop. Just seven minutes later, they struck back. Drew Spence latched onto a cutback from Jessica Naz and calmly side-footed the ball past Leitzig, leveling the score. The goal sparked a renewed sense of hope in Tottenham, but as the final whistle approached, the visitors couldn’t find a way to grab all three points. Leicester’s defense, particularly Leitzig, stood firm, with the keeper pulling off a crucial save in the dying seconds to deny Matilda Vinberg.
At the final whistle, the contrast in emotions was stark. Leicester’s Leitzig smiled, pleased with her performance, while several Tottenham players slumped in frustration. For them, the draw felt like two points dropped rather than a much-needed break in their losing run. Manager Robert Vilahamn acknowledged the mixed emotions, noting that while their performance showed progress, the team still lacked the clinical edge to convert dominance into victories.
Despite the draw, Tottenham’s goal-scoring struggles remain a significant concern. Their inability to finish chances has plagued them all season, and with only 21 goals in 18 matches, improvement is crucial. Vilahmn remained optimistic, urging his players to continue developing their attacking play and finish their chances as they look ahead to their next fixtures, including an upcoming match against Aston Villa.
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