2 years ago
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Summer signing Martha Thomas took her Women's Super League tally to six goals as Tottenham moved top of the Women's Super LeagueWomen's Super League top scorer Martha Thomas scored an exquisite hat-trick as Tottenham moved top of the table and condemned Aston Villa to four league defeats out of four this season.
England forward Rachel Daly netted a fifth-minute penalty to put the hosts ahead but Thomas drew Spurs level in sensational style when she won possession from Scotland team-mate Rachel Corsie and angled a long-range chip over goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer.
Ashleigh Neville then headed the visitors in front at Bescot Stadium on the stroke of half-time from Jessica Naz's arrowed cross.
Thomas personified Spurs' confidence by striking twice with fine goals from the edge of the box after the break, ensuring they moved two points clear of Manchester City, Leicester City and Chelsea, with a third consecutive win.
Spurs will spend at least 24 hours at the summit if Leicester and City draw at King Power Stadium in the only other WSL game on Saturday, although reigning champions Chelsea also have the chance to overtake them when they host Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
Villa, who scored a second when Lucy Parker nodded her first goal for the club in second-half added time, remain second-bottom because Bristol City, who are also without a point, have an inferior goal difference.
Carla Ward's side return to action when they host Chelsea on Saturday, while Spurs are at home to Everton on Sunday.
Thomas takes Tottenham top
Striker Thomas has had a prolific start to life at Tottenham since joining from Manchester United in September, and her audacious opener from well outside the box was a splendid way to become the outright top scorer in the WSL.
Just as she did at Brighton six days earlier, the 27-year-old levelled after Spurs had conceded an early goal - and her tenacity and willing running also helped them pose a persistent threat, coupled with her two other finishes to put this contest to bed.
Villa have more anguish to add to their painful late defeats in their opening game at home to Manchester United, when they went ahead in the 76th minute, and at Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal scored in the 92nd and 94th minutes.
Tipped to challenge for a top-four spot by some before the start of the season, Villa's third spurning of a lead this term came after Eveliina Summanen's late challenge on Adriana Leon allowed Daly to convert from the spot.
Leon and Ebony Salmon looked electric at times on the flanks, regularly beating their markers to cause the visitors problems.
Salmon's curling shot was tipped behind by goalkeeper Daphne Van Domselaar as Villa pressed for a second early on, but their failure to turn momentum into goals proved costly and they could not hold off an irresistible attacking display from their opponents - especially Thomas.
Villa, who also lost 2-0 at Liverpool, will now hope that Bristol City cannot surprise Arsenal at home on Sunday.
Line-ups
Aston Villa Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 1van Domselaar
- 15Parker
- 4Patten
- 6CorsieBooked at 76mins
- 14Turner
- 5StaniforthSubstituted forMcLoughlinat 82'minutes
- 19Blindkilde Brown
- 8NobbsSubstituted forMagillat 64'minutes
- 23LeonSubstituted forMaylingat 64'minutes
- 9Daly
- 17SalmonSubstituted forPachecoat 65'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Mayling
- 7Lehmann
- 16McLoughlin
- 18Mullett
- 21Leat
- 22Magill
- 33Pacheco
Tottenham Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 22Spencer
- 15JamesSubstituted forAleat 85'minutes
- 21Bühler
- 5Bartrip
- 29Neville
- 20Ahtinen
- 8ClintonSubstituted forGrahamat 90+1'minutes
- 25Summanen
- 14Bizet Ildhusøy
- 17ThomasBooked at 67minsSubstituted forZhangat 90+1'minutes
- 7NazSubstituted forSpenceat 55'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Votíková
- 4Turner
- 12Percival
- 13Ale
- 16Graham
- 18Zhang
- 23Ayane
- 24Spence
- 26Pearse
Referee:Lauren Impey
Attendance:2,810
Live Text
Match ends, Aston Villa Women 2, Tottenham Hotspur Women 4.
Second Half ends, Aston Villa Women 2, Tottenham Hotspur Women 4.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Luana Bühler (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
Goal! Aston Villa Women 2, Tottenham Hotspur Women 4. Lucy Parker (Aston Villa Women) header from very close range to the centre of the goal following a corner.
Attempt saved. Rachel Corsie (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal.
Corner, Aston Villa Women. Conceded by Luana Bühler.
Attempt saved. Zhang Linyan (Tottenham Hotspur Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Attempt missed. Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (Tottenham Hotspur Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Olga Ahtinen.
Eveliina Summanen (Tottenham Hotspur Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Laura Blindkilde Brown (Aston Villa Women).
Drew Spence (Tottenham Hotspur Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Rachel Corsie (Aston Villa Women).
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Kit Graham replaces Grace Clinton.
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Zhang Linyan replaces Martha Thomas.
Foul by Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
Anna Patten (Aston Villa Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Drew Spence (Tottenham Hotspur Women) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Grace Clinton.
Laura Blindkilde Brown (Aston Villa Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Olga Ahtinen (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
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