West Ham Women 0-2 Tottenham Women: Dean & Quinn fire Spurs to huge win at the London Stadium

The heavy rain in east London didn’t stop the bubbles in the air as Tottenham Hotspur Women went to the London Stadium to play West Ham Women in the WSL today, and Spurs were outstanding in the wet weather. Tottenham got goals from Rianna Dean, making her first WSL start, and her substitute Lucy Quinn as Spurs Women got a huge 2-0 win in front of 24,000 fans.

The big news for Spurs was the return of Rianna Dean to the starting lineup after missing the first match due to injury and coming on as a substitute in the win over Liverpool. Last year’s leading scorer, Dean as placed in functionally a front three with Rosella Ayane and Kit Graham. Also interesting: attacking fullback Ashleigh Neville started the match on the bench today after starting the first two WSL games and playing well. Club captain Jenna Schillaci is also on the bench, with Welsh international Josie Green taking the armband.

First Half:

KICK OFF! Bubbles are in the air and we’re underway at the London Stadium!

1’ — It didn’t take long for this match to get chippy. Rianna Dean puts a crunching tackle on West Ham captain Flaherty, but Kit Graham’s cross can’t find another Spurs player. Flaherty needs treatment but is okay.

11’ — Ayane with a loooooong shot in transition that goes over the West Ham bar, but not by much.

21’ — There have been a couple of scary moments for Spurs defensively as West Ham have been able to get space behind the back line. Thankfully they haven’t yet been able to capitalize, but it’s concerning.

31’ — Maybe Spurs’ best chance of the game. Furness finds Ayane on the run who swapped to the right flank. Ayane fizzes a ball into the box but Dean can’t quite get a boot on it and it goes just wide of the post. This match is fun!

36’ — GOAL TOTTENHAM! It’s Rianna Dean! Great goal as Ayane fires an inch-perfect cross into the box. Dean splits two defenders and thunders a header into the back of the net. What a goal! It’s also Spurs’ first-ever WSL goal from open play!

HALFTIME — A cracker of a half. Rianna Dean’s headed goal is the difference between the sides, but both teams have had chances. This ain’t over!

Second Half:

West Ham make one halftime sub as Dali comes on for Middag.

50’ — Important block for Spurs! A turnover in their half forces Hannah Godfrey and Becky Spencer to come out and make an important dual block. On the other end, Ayane has a low strike saved by the legs of WHU keeper Brosnan.

60’ — Appeals for a penalty from West Ham players after Leon is tackled by Peplow in the box. Replays are inconclusive, honestly, but I’m gonna stick with “good tackle.”

64’ — Godfrey with a very good chance as she heads the ball just wide off of a Spurs corner.

70’ — Spurs’ first sub of the match as Lucy Quinn comes off for Ayane.

77’ — West Ham’s best chance of the match as Thomas has a wide open net to aim at, but her volley off of a cross goes wide. Whew!

80’ — Sub for Spurs as Ashleigh Neville comes on for the Dutch international Siri Worm. Smart tactical sub. West Ham continue to pile on the pressure; Godfrey has another critical block on a shot from Dali.

84’ — GOAL TOTTENHAM! LUCY QUINN! The substitute strikes home a lovely ball in the box after it pinballs around a bit off a couple of West Ham players. It’s her birthday and she gets a great goal! 2-0 to Spurs!

89’ — Spurs’ final sub, Angela Addison comes on for Kit Graham.

FULL TIME! — Tottenham get a great win on the road in a hostile stadium and their first goal from open play!

Reactions:

• This is a match that was made for goals and honestly it’s a miracle we didn’t get more. Regardless, it’s a very important
• Rosella Ayane had a very good match for Spurs. She was in the Son Heung-Min role for Spurs, bombing up and down both flanks and taking on defenders.
• Rianna Dean was industrious, getting stuck in from the opening kick and playing with a real edge. Makes you wonder if she’s been champing at the bit to get in and make her first WSL start. And that header... wow!
• Special mention to Hannah Godfrey who was a rock in Spurs’ back line. She had a blinder with several crucial blocks.
• This is a Spurs team that is gelling before our eyes. I don’t think they’re ready to compete at the top of the table, but they’re showing they can most certainly hang with everyone else.
• The win is Spurs’ second in three WSL matches and puts them within three points of the top (though it’s ludicrously early). Next match is Sun. October 13, home to our old friends Manchester United Women at The Hive.