Tottenham beat newcomers Bristol to get first win

2 years ago 39

ARTICLE AD BOX

Tottenham secured their first victory under new boss Robert Vilahamn as they cruised past Women's Super League returnees Bristol City.

Summer signing Olga Ahtinen set Spurs on course for a comfortable afternoon when she hammered home the opener from range.

Martha Thomas scored her second in as many games after a mistimed clearance from Bristol goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese smashed off the Spurs striker's back and into the net.

Tottenham piled on the pressure and Eveliina Summanen extended their advantage on the stroke of half-time, curling a free kick into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Tottenham responded to their narrow opening day defeat by Chelsea with a breathless start to the game, dominating possession and sending waves of attacks into the final third.

Bristol improved after the second half as Spurs' intensity waned but the hosts remained mostly in command.

Amalie Thestrup pulled one back from the penalty spot after Summanen handled the ball in her own box but a comeback was out of reach for Bristol.

Bristol have now suffered defeats in their first two games since promotion back to the top flight.

Comfortable first win of new era

As a first victory under new management, the win for Tottenham could hardly have been more convincing.

Vilahamn took charge in the summer after interim manager Vicky Jepson steered Spurs seven points clear of safety following the sacking of Rehanne Skinner in March.

Star striker Bethany England remained absent after undergoing hip surgery in September but that was of little concern for the hosts with Thomas and Celin Bizet regularly troubling the Bristol defence.

Two moments of individual brilliance - and the assistance of a goalkeeping error - in a stellar first half helped to guide Spurs to victory and continue a strong start to the campaign after a hard-fought performance in their loss to Chelsea.

Promoted Bristol's return to life in the top flight gets no easier when they face title candidates Manchester City next weekend.

Line-ups

Tottenham Women

Formation 4-3-3

22Spencer
15James
21Bühler
5Bartrip
29NevilleBooked at 23mins
20AhtinenSubstituted forPercivalat 84'minutes
24SpenceSubstituted forGrahamat 74'minutes
25Summanen
14Bizet IldhusøySubstituted forAyaneat 84'minutes
17Thomas
8ClintonSubstituted forNazat 60'minutes

Substitutes

1Votíková
4Turner
7Naz
12Percival
13Ale
16Graham
18Zhang
23Ayane
26Pearse

Bristol City Women

Formation 4-4-2

21Marckese
2PowellSubstituted forWardat 65'minutes
5AspinBooked at 59minsSubstituted forMurrayat 78'minutes
4Layzell
12Mustaki
11NapierBooked at 12mins
8RodgersSubstituted forSymeat 88'minutes
6ConnollySubstituted forFurnessat 65'minutes
23Jones
24Morgan
17ThestrupSubstituted forHaylesat 78'minutes

Substitutes

3Struck
9Hayles
10Furness
13Clark
15Bull
16Syme
19Simpson
29Ward
44Murray

Live Text

Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur Women 3, Bristol City Women 1.
Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur Women 3, Bristol City Women 1.
Molly Bartrip (Tottenham Hotspur Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Carrie Jones (Bristol City Women).
Ria Percival (Tottenham Hotspur Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Shania Hayles (Bristol City Women).
Attempt blocked. Carrie Jones (Bristol City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Attempt blocked. Naomi Layzell (Bristol City Women) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Emily Syme.
Foul by Ria Percival (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
Emily Syme (Bristol City Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution, Bristol City Women. Emily Syme replaces Amy Rodgers.
Attempt missed. Satara Murray (Bristol City Women) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Amy Rodgers with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Bristol City Women. Conceded by Luana Bühler.
Foul by Jessica Naz (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
Jamie-Lee Napier (Bristol City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Rosella Ayane replaces Celin Bizet Ildhusøy.
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Ria Percival replaces Olga Ahtinen.
Attempt missed. Ashleigh Neville (Tottenham Hotspur Women) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Martha Thomas.
Offside, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Olga Ahtinen tries a through ball, but Martha Thomas is caught offside.
Offside, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Kit Graham tries a through ball, but Martha Thomas is caught offside.