Goals from Bethany England, Celin Bizet and Kit Graham secured Tottenham Women's WSL status for another season with a 4-1 victory over Reading on Saturday afternoon.
The win over bottom-of-the-table Reading was critical if Spurs were to escape the relegation rabble and after a delightful start to the match in which Spurs dominated proceedings, England delivered the opener just before the half-hour mark as she nodded home Molly Bartrip's cross at the far post.
Celin Bizet then doubled Spurs' advantage four minutes before the interval as Eveliina Summanen threaded a ball through the visitors defence, effectively leaving Reading's survival hopes in tatters.
England grabbed her second goal of the match shortly after the hour, turning home a lovely shot into the top right corner after intercepting a back pass and rounding Reading keeper Grace Moloney to fire into an empty net.
Substitute Kit Graham added a fourth for Spurs on the 75th minute, stroking home after being fed over the top by centre-back Molly Bartrip. Justine Vanhaevermaet grabbed a consolation goal back for Reading five minutes later but it proved too little too late as Spurs climbed six points clear of Reading and into WSL safety.
Below are the Player Ratings from Spurs' 4-1 win over Reading:
Rebecca Spencer 7
Taking Tinja-Riikka Korpela's place in goal. Called into action before the quarter-hour mark as Reading had successive corners but was gifted a quiet first half due to her teammates. Was busier in the second half, though the game was effectively over with as Reading looked most threatening.
Ashleigh Neville 7
Returned to right-back duties in place of Kit Graham after the defeat to Manchester United. Showed real quality on the ball as she carried the ball up the pitch and looked to feed the attack. Came up with an important challenge in her penalty area shortly after Spurs' opener. Some sloppy passing creeped into her game second half.
Amy Turner 8
Composed on the ball and comfortably dealt with Reading's set-piece threat well. Levied some important challenges as Reading look to mount a response and did well to dictate play in front of her with Bartrip. Had a fine game.
Molly Bartrip 9
Popped up important headers when Reading threatened with set-pieces and did well to shore up the backline with Turner. Produced a crisp cross to the back post to open the scoring as England nodded home and continued to look a threat with her delivery from range, finding Graham for Spurs' fourth as she fed her in over the top of Reading's defence.
Didn't put a foot wrong defensively.
Kerys Harrop 7
A solid performance from the left-back, got the ball up the line to Spence or Ayane quickly and was calm on the ball when Reading showed signs of pressure.
Angharad James 8
Did the dirty work as you expect from the Welsh international. Kept the midfield ticking over alongside Spence and dealt with Reading's threats without much fuss. Looked dangerous on the ball when able to get forward.
Eveliina Summanen 8
Pushed further forward and with great success. A constant thorn in Reading's backline with her pressure. Defensively important with her aerial presence as Reading threatened on set-pieces. A penchant for deft touches got the better of Reading as she played in Bizet for Spurs' second goal.
Had gone down through injury mid-way through the first-half and subbed at half-time.
Drew Spence 9
Was physically dominant in midfield, aiding James as they looked to staunch Reading's progression. Pivotal in moving attack forward on the dribble, particularly when combining with Ayane on the left. Didn't stop moving and very little got past her.
Very nearly notched a goal with a thunderous effort from nearly 25 yards out deep into the second half but it whistled over the bar.
Celin Bizet 9
A constant outlet on the right, link-up play with Neville and Summanen was positive especially when cutting inside. Spurs' second goal was a delightful piece of solo work from the Norwegian as she was fed through the heart of Reading's defence from Summanen, fended off a Reading defender and slid a low driven strike into the left corner under keeper Grace Moloney's spread arms.
Subbed on the 80th minute.
Rosella Ayane 8
Recently crowned Moroccan of the World award in the Sport category earlier in the week and was lively from the off, with her pace constantly getting the better of Reading's right-back Easther Mayi Kith. Had plenty of fun down the left hand side and worked well combining with Spence and England.
Continued to be a nuisance for Reading, unlucky to not grab a goal.
Replaced on the 69th minute for Jessica Naz.
Bethany England 9
Destined to score, given it's become the Lionesses' prerogative in a Spurs' shirt since January. She inflated her goal tally to 10 this season and up to five at Spurs Stadium as she nodded home the game's opener before a brilliant piece of solo work ended with her stroking in Spurs' third on the hour mark.
A deserved goal for a player whose quality seemed to sing sharper given the circumstances. Spurs attack flowed through England, with the striker holding the ball up and constantly dropping deep to build up play and feed the ball back out to the wings. Alongside Ayane was Spurs' best threat. Two goals in three outings at Spurs Stadium, and eight goals altogether since the turn of the year.
England was crowned Spurs' Player of the Season as part of the post-match awards ceremony. Her final performance at Spurs Stadium only underlined, bolded and italicised why.
Substitutions:
Kit Graham 9
Came on for Summanen for the second half and was a positive addition up front with England. Extended Spurs' lead in the 75th minute with a well-taken strike after being fed through on goal by
Jessica Naz
Came on for Ayane with 20 minutes to go. Lively and stirred plenty of trouble for an already lethargic looking Reading.
