Thank you for joining me for this historic match. Tottenham have beaten Arsenal for the first time in the Women’s Super League and it came from a heroic defensive effort as well as a well-worked team goal. Arsenal’s loss means no matter the result for Chelsea tomorrow against Bristol City the Gunners will not top the table. We will be back tomorrow with more WSL action, keep an eye out for reports across the five games being played on Sunday. Speaking of reports, have a read of the NLD action here:
Vilahamn, who was appointed last July, also added Spurs’ transfer moves have already been made and that they just have to announce them.
Tottenham boss Vilahamn told Sky: “I am very happy for the team and the players at this club. They defended so well and the goal we scored was brilliant as well. They were quite calm when they came in, I felt Bethany [England] had 45 minutes in today and it was good to bring in Naz.”
Tottenham are sixth but only on goal difference with Liverpool in fifth. Spurs are also only four points outside of the top three. The second half of the season will be so interesting.
Player of the Match Votikova told Sky: “It was such a big game, it was my debut in the league. It went so well. I am so proud of all the girls. I felt ready for this game, I worked so hard to get into the starting 11, I am very happy.”
Thomas’ goal is her seventh of the season which has put her top of the WSL goal tally this season with an assist as well this campaign. What a signing she has been for Spurs.
Goal scorer Martha Thomas told Sky: “It’s been a tough week but I think we really deserved that and we put in a performance we can be proud of… We know we can play against these teams and we proved that today.”
Tottenham only had only four shots, only two on target. Arsenal had 31 with eight on target. Arsenal should have won that match but the defence was perfect.
What it means:
HISTORY. MADE. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/IDWEt8whQM
— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) December 16, 2023
This was Tottenham’s first clean sheet of the season. Spurs were absolutely huge in defence and Votikova has put her hand up for that first-choice keeper spot.
Here is the goal from Thomas, a lovely team goal. Zinsberger must have thought it was going wide but she will be disappointed with that:
From front to back!
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) December 16, 2023
Thomas slots home a beautiful move from @SpursWomen 🤩#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/Yw65oOGhTx
The final play saw Zinsberger come up into the box too, Naz cleared the corner and Spurs broke to try and double their lead but Ayane was tackled in the box. But they won’t care, Tottenham have won in what will be one of the matches of the season.
Full-time! Tottenham 1-0 Arsenal
Tottenham have done it! Their first Women’s Super League win over their north London rivals. This is a huge upset and it stops Arsenal from going top of the WSL. Bartrip has been colossal in defence, Votikova incredible in goal. A statement performance and win.
90 + 11 min: Arsenal have a final chance as they have a corner with Neville seeing it out.
90 + 10 min: Cooney-Cross whips is in but James has a great goal line clearance. Catley then goes down in the box and wants a penalty but it isn’t given.
90 + 9 min: Tottenham are just minutes away from their first NLD win in the WSL. Spurs keeper Votikova has been named Player of the Match and just as that is announced Clinton gives away a free kick.
90 + 8 min: The delivery mimics the training pitch as it comes to the edge of the area but Neville manages to clear before they put a shot in.
90 + 7 min: Is anyone else’s heart beating really fast right now? I am so nervous, what a game this has been. Arsenal still have time to find an equaliser and they are threading together another attack. Lacasse wins a corner.
90 + 6 min: Bizet has signalled to the bench as she is injured and Ayane will join the game. Bizet has had a great game today and she is met with a huge applause as she comes off.
90 + 5 min: Tottenham are doing really well to keep defensively sound, they must be exhausted with all the chances they have faced this afternoon. Percival wins a free kick in her own half and so Spurs will be able to clear. Tottenham get it into the area but Bizet’s cross is blocked.
90 + 3 min: Arsenal have scored the most goals in added time this season, with five after the 90 minutes. They are looking to do so again with Russo crossing in but Miedema’s shot is over the bar.
90 + 1 min: It’s a good delivery but Bartrip heads away. Spurs look to counter but Percival can’t get on the end of a chance. There will be 11 minutes added.
90 min: Arsenal win a free kick in a great position, this could be it. The visitors make a change before the set piece is taken with McCabe off for Lacasse.
89 min: We maybe in the closing stages of this game but there will be lengthy time added on and so Spurs will have to hold on for a while yet. Arsenal on a long build-up here.
88 min: Arsenal are pressing for the equaliser and Miedema, who is playing her 100th WSL game, wins a corner. The ball is well delivered and Ilestedt gets a header to it again but it’s wide.
86 min: Tottenham have made a change with Thomas off for Percival. The game is now back underway.
85 min: Both teams have gathered and spoken to their managers during the break in play. The medical teams from both clubs are also helping the person in the crowd.
83 min: There is a medical emergency in the crowd and so there will be a lengthy delay here. We hope everyone is okay.
83 min: Miedema pops it in but it’s cleared again, it is all Arsenal at the moment but Spurs’ defence is holding strong. Arsenal fans want a penalty as Russo pops it in and Foord is challenged but referee Foster doesn’t give it.
81 min: Catley takes the corner and it almost finds Blackstenius but Spurs do enough to repel the change.
80 min: Spurs’ play out the back is very hit and miss today, it led to the goal but Arsenal are also winning a lot of balls high up. Arsenal make a change with Blackstenius on for Walti before a corner is taken.
80 min: Arsenal come again, they are quite literally throwing everything at this, and Cooney-Cross crosses in but Votikova is there to collect. A really good performance from the Spurs keeper who is keeping Becky Spencer on the bench.
78 min: Mead takes the corner again but it’s headed away easily, McCabe picks it up though and it’s popped into the box but Russo’s header is over the bar.
76 min: Arsenal win another corner with Neville seeing it out. Mead whips it in and it finds Ilestedt but her header is wide. Arsenal come again with Mead at the centre of all the action, she wins a corner.
74 min: It’s a good corner delivery but Clinton clears well. Arsenal have had 23 shots so far but have nothing to show for it.
73 min: No they can’t. Catley takes the set piece but Votikova comes out and collects. Arsenal come again and Russo almost gets on the end of a cross but Turner does enough to disrupt it, conceding another corner.
72 min: Clinton fouls McCabe and Arsenal have a free kick in a good position, can Arsenal find a goal here?
71 min: Russo crosses into the box, Clinton clears but it comes to Cooney-Cross whose shot is over the bar. Votikova gets a yellow card for time wasting, a cheer comes from the Arsenal fans as she’s shown it.
69 min: Thomas is staying on, she is clutching her side though. Arsenal have won the ball back and are being patient over finding their equaliser.
68 min: Thomas is down receiving some treatment, hopefully she is okay to continue. She is initally back to her feet but goes down again, meaning Naz’ latest attack is a solo one.
66 min: Bartrip takes the set piece but Wubben-Moy heads away, Neville puts it back in but it’s out for a goal kick. Arsenal make two changes with Miedema and Cooney-Cross on for Pelova and Maanum. Pelova is an interesting call, I thought she was having a great game.
64 min: A reminder that this would be Tottenham first ever league win over Arsenal. The Gunners will throw everything at this to make sure they don’t get it over the line and Maanum takes a shot to try and equalise but Bartrip blocks. Spurs look to break through Thomas and she wins a free kick, Wubben-Moy earning a yellow card for the foul
62 min: This stadium has come to life but it’s Arsenal voices that can be heard, urging their team to find an equaliser. I am actually stunned by this score. Arsenal have a corner but it’s initially cleared, Pelova puts back in and Russo takes a good shot but Votikova saves well. If Spurs pull this off it will be one of the upsets of the season.
60 min: A lovely team goal there, they built from deep and Bizet gets into the area. She lays it off to Thomas and Zinsberger doesn’t even move to save it.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Arsenal (Thomas, 58')
OH MY WORD! Thomas scores.
Updated
58 min: Pelova is just so good isn’t she? She puts in a pinpoint pass to Mead but her shot is blocked well. Arsenal come again with Maanum taking a shot and it is just a whisker over the bar. I don’t see this one ending 0-0.
56 min: Arsenal’s sold-out away end urges McCabe to shoot from distance and she does so, Votikova saves well. James collides with her own keeper but she is okay to continue. Spurs are sloppy as they look to exit and Arsenal pounce, Maanum takes a shot but there’s another great save.
54 min: James reads Arsenal’s play well in the box as she intercepts the final pass, it does feel like an Arsenal goal is coming though. The Gunners come again but Maanum’s shot is weak, she slipped as she takes it and accidentally takes out Graham. She is okay to continue.
52 min: How has Russo not scored there? Mead is fed the ball and she picks out a lovely pass to find Russo but her header is wide.
Updated
50 min: After some good play from Tottenham, Arsenal thread some passes together. Maanum takes a shot but Votikova makes a good save, conceding a corner. Mead takes the set piece and pass to McCabe whose long range effort is over the bar.
49 min: James threads a lovely ball to Naz but she mistimes her run and is offside.
47 min: England’s minutes may also be being managed as she is returning from a hip injury. Remember Naz scored twice against Arsenal mid-week so she could cause them more problems this afternoon.
Back underway! Tottenham 0-0 Arsenal
We are back underway. Can Tottenham beat Arsenal for the first time ever in the WSL? Or will Arsenal collect all three points away from home? All to play for in this second half. Tottenham have made a change with England off for Naz, she did take a knock to the head in the first half which could be why she’s been subbed.
Do get in touch to let me know your thoughts on the game or anything else! You can get in touch via email.
Something to note, if Katie McCabe gets a yellow card she will miss Arsenal’s next match as she has already been given four yellows this season.
Half-time! Tottenham 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal have had the lion share of the chances, coming close through Caitlin Foord and Victoria Pelova. But Tottenham’s defence has been well drilled and Votikova has put in some good saves to frustrate the visitors. A draw would see Arsenal top of the table but only a point ahead of Chelsea.
45 + 1 min: There will be three minutes added.
45 min: Arsenal win a corner and Mead passes to Pelova, she puts a shot in and it’s another good save from the keeper.
44 min: Catley plays the corner short and it comes in but Spurs clear.
43 min: What a save from Votikova! Arsenal have a great build-up and no one forces a shot, Russo lays it off to Maanum who’s shot is powerful but the keeper pushes clear for a corner.
42 min: Arsenal put together a really nice move, and they do it quickly and so Spurs can’t set defensively. Foord is threaded the ball but her shot is over the bar.
40 min: Spurs come again, it’s popped into the area and it tries to find Bizet but Wubben-Moy sees it out for a throw in. It comes back in but Wubben-Moy clears once more. The defender has had a great season for Arsenal, a starting England shirt should be heading her way.
38 min: Tottenham break through Bizet, she is swarmed and so decides to take the shot herself and it’s just over the bar. A good attempt considering she had three Arsenal players around her.
36 min: Clinton gives away a free kick which Arsenal take quickly by halfway and eventually they find Russo but she is dispossessed. The ball exchanges hands and it comes back to Russo but Neville does really well to marshal it out for a goal kick.
34 min: Thomas can’t get on the end of a good pass through and Arsenal can clear, Spurs need to capitalise on any chance they have as they aren’t coming too often. Arsenal attack and Bartrip initially clears, they come again but James is there this time to come to the rescue.
32 min: Walti gives away a free kick and then Mead does the same, Arsenal’s frustration starting to show. Spurs take the set piece through Bartrip but it’s straight at Zinsberger.
30 min: Spurs are able to clear twice and find themselves in the final third but play stops with England down injured. A worrying sign for Spurs, she is holding her face but looks okay to continue.
28 min: Petzelberger is fouled by Maanum and Spurs are able to clear again. This game is reminding me of Chelsea’s Women’s Champions League match against Hacken earlier this week – Chelsea had so many chance but didn’t convert and Hacken’s defence was well drilled. Spurs’ defence is performing well at the moment, the question is can they keep it up?
26 min: The game has stalled a bit, the latest Arsenal chance sees McCabe thread the ball through but Pelova isn’t reading from the same sheet and it’s out for a goal kick.
Updated
24 min: Arsenal protest for a free kick after Mead is fouled from Neville on the edge of the box but nothing is given. Spurs then win a free kick but they immediately see it out of play.
22 min: Bizet doesn’t look happy, she is crouching a lot and a bit ginger on her feet – I wouldn’t be surprised if she is the next to be replaced. Since the injuries the sting has been taken out of the game and it’s at a much slower pace.
20 min: Buhler now is having an issue, she has shaken her head and Turner is getting ready to come on. The change is made.
18 min: Wow, Foord comes so close. She has a good run down the left and takes a shot, it smacks the bar and no one is there to pick up the rebound. Closest chance yet. Bizet receives treatment for a challenge in the build-up to that shot, she is okay to continue.
16 min: It’s a good delivery to Russo but Graham does well to tackle and clear.
15 min: McCabe wins a free kick from a foul from Neville. Catley takes the set piece but it’s headed clear by Graham, it is put in again by McCabe and Neville sees it out for another corner.
Updated
14 min: Arsenal thread some passes together and Foord finds it at her feet just outside the box, she rifles off a shot and it takes a deflection for a corner. Arsenal takes the set piece short but it’s eventually popped in, Russo gets a head to it but it’s wide.
12 min: Maanum pops a cross in but Votikova collects. Neither team really have a grip of this game yet, some frantic attacks from both but no convincing play.
10 min: Buhler loses the ball in the final third to Russo, she is suddenly in the box but Petzelberger makes a crucial tackle to win it back and clear.
8 min: Now it is Spurs’ turn to be sloppy at the back, a loose pass sees the visitors set up their latest attack. Walti belts the ball into the area and she finds Russo but Votikova saves. Arsenal create a few chances but nothing comes of it and then Spurs break, Thomas finds England but her resulting shot is easily collected by Zinsberger.
6 min: Arsenal have multiple passes at the back and as soon as they launch forwards Tottenham intercept the ball, England almost pounces but Arsenal manage to clear the danger for now.
4 min: Spurs lose the ball in the final third with Foord winning it, she tries to find Russo but she is muscled off the ball. A heart in the mouth moment there. Arsenal are soon back in possession and have a patient build-up but eventually lose out. A bit scrappy in these early stages.
2 min: Spurs have a lot of the early possession as they look to strike to dent Arsenal’s belief.
Kick-off! Tottenham 0-0 Arsenal
Here we go then. Will Arsenal live up to their favourite status heading into this one? Or can Tottenham cause an upset? All the action to come. A fun fact as we get underway, Beth England is playing her 150th WSL appearance today.
The players are out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which looks to have a decent turn out. Among those in the crowd is men’s manager Ange Postecoglou.
Have you been reading our free weekly women’s football newsletter Moving the Goalposts? It has exclusive interviews, brings you news from around the world and guest columnists. Have a read of this week’s, all about the women’s game in Egypt:
Tottenham boss Vilahamn said on Votikova starting in goal: “She has trained really well for a while, she had a good performance against Arsenal [mid-week] so we are trying to build on that momentum.”
So is this Arsenal’s year? Tottenham will do everything in their power to make sure it isn’t. Have a read of this piece:
The kick-off time is a strange one for me in terms of snacks for the game as it’s lunchtime but I’ll have a delayed lunch to cover the match! So I think I’m just going to go with some yoghurt, what snacks have you got on the go? Let me know via email!
Jessica Naz, who scored twice against Arsenal mid-week in the Conti Cup, has made way for Beth England in the starting line-up today. An understandable call with England the club captain and needing minutes after her return from injury. And it’s not bad having someone of Naz’ standard to come off the bench in a crucial North London derby! The other call that may raise an eyebrow for some is Votikova staying in goal, it is her first league start and Becky Spencer is on the bench. Will keep an ear out to see if Spencer has taken a knock.
Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn has said his side are not going to hold anything back in the match, saying: “We’re not going to try to just have a low block and hope that we can counter-attack, we’re going to go for it and see if we can actually do it. I’m aware that they are very good so if we feel like we have struggles, then we have situations in the game where we can make sure we take care of that, but the main thing for me is to show the fans who come to the stadium that this team is all about playing the way we want to do it and not trying to focus on the opponents.
Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall said of having two NLD’s this week: “I don’t know if it’s difficult or not. Both teams learn when they play against each other for the first time. It’s like a longer half-time break, where you can actually work on things on the training ground. Both teams have also had a quick turnaround between the games. I think there are going to be details that will be changed but I don’t picture big changes from one game to another when there’s such a quick [turnaround].”
Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema could potentially make her 100th WSL appearance, starting from the bench today. Her impact on the league since signing for the Gunners in 2017 has been immeasurable but there are some stats we can cite. The 27-year-old is the all-time scorer with 78 goals and has the most combined goals and assists with 112 goal involvements.
The team news is in! Tottenham have made just one change to their mid-week team who played Arsenal in the Conti Cup and it sees Beth England come in for Jessica Naz.
Tottenham: Votikova, James, Buhler, Bartrip, Neville, Petzelberger, Graham, Thomas, Bizet, Clinton, England
📋 Our starting line-up for #TOTARS
— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) December 16, 2023
Bethany England starts 👊
COYS 🤍 pic.twitter.com/LkoEOhCLRQ
Arsenal. meanwhile, have made nine changes to their starting XI which includes Alessia Russo coming into the forwards and Vivianne Miedema dropping to the bench.
Arsenal: Zinsberger, Wubben-Moy, Catley, Mead, Maanum, Walti, McCabe, Foord, Pelova, Russo, Illestedt.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) December 16, 2023
🇮🇪 @Katie_McCabe11 as captain
🇦🇺 @caitlinfoord in attack
🏴 @alessiarusso7 leads the line
COYG ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ddSG5DxsyE
Preamble
Good morning and welcome back to the Women’s Super League. The North London derby is one of football’s biggest rivalries and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the location for the it be re-ignited today.
This is the second NLD this week as Arsenal and Spurs played one another in the Conti Cup earlier this week. The game ended 3-3 but Arsenal won the penalty shoot-out.
It is not only pride a win would get Arsenal, it would also see them overtake Chelsea at the top of the table. The Gunners’ 4-1 thumping of the Blues last weekend saw them draw level on point with Chelsea only ahead on goal difference. Chelsea play Bristol City tomorrow.
Tottenham, meanwhile, would remain in sixth if they win but would draw closer to the all-important top three spots. They are currently only seven points outside of the Women’s Champions League qualification spots.
Before we dive into what has been said this week we will take a look at the team news. If Vivianne Miedema plays today she will make her 100th WSL appearance. The teams should release their line-ups shortly so stay tuned for updates.
