Tottenham Women 2-1 West Ham: Rianna Dean gets the win with 96th minute goal

Start up the t-shirt machines! Tottenham Hotspur Women hosted their first ever top flight London Derby, playing West Ham for the third time this season. New signing Emma Mitchell put Spurs up in the first half, but it was the extra time in the second half where things really got interesting. Kenza Dali equalized in the 90th minute, but Rianna Dean got the winner in the 96th minute, sending Spurs Women up to fifth in the WSL.

Mitchell, signed on loan from Arsenal a couple of weeks ago, got the start in defense for the first time. Rosella Ayane also gets a rare start in attacking midfield today, but otherwise it was Juan Amoros and Karen Hills’ regular and best lineup against the Hammers today at the Hive. Kit Graham and Rianna Dean were the two most forward attackers for Spurs, as per usual.

First Half

Kick-Off! We’re underway in the first ever London Derby played at The Hive!

3’ — Ria Percival gets Tottenham’s first shot at West Ham’s goal. Well, “at” is a bit strong — it’s well wide.

8’ — A mistake from the West Ham keeper! Spurs are able to nick the ball in West Ham’s box, but can’t put it into the net. Kit Graham is down receiving treatment, but is back on her feet shortly.

10’ — Spurs keeper Becky Spencer rushes out to collect a loose ball and gets kicked in the head. A lengthy spell of medical attention ensues, but she’s up and okay.

16’ — Josie Green picks up a yellow card for... IDK, reasons, not sure why. Didn’t look like she fouled anyone. Maybe dissent? Official doesn’t explain.

22’ — Spurs getting shots, but none of them have been on target or forced the West Ham keeper to get nervous at all. Even competition here in the first half.

30’ — GOAL TOTTENHAM! It’s new loanee Emma Mitchell! Spurs earned a corner off of a deflected shot from Ayane, and off the set piece Mitchell gets the ball inside the box and glances her shot in off the left post. 1-0 Tottenham!

36’ — Big collision at the center circle between Rianna Dean and West Ham’s Longhurst. Looked painful, but both players are up and around.

41’ — So close! Ayane found herself open to receive a cross into the box, but her header was inches high and goes off the bar!

HALFTIME — Mitchell’s strike is the difference, though Spurs have looked pretty good for the money here in the first half. Let’s get more goals!

Second Half

A change at halftime — Spurs bring on keeper Chloe Morgan to replace Spencer; she got kicked in the head in the first half and this appears to be a precautionary sub.

50’ — A chance for Spurs as Neville puts in a good cross to Graham’s head, but it’s easily collected by Brosnan, West Ham’s keeper.

55’ — Oof, a midfield collision between Ria Percival and WHU’s Kate Longhurst leads to Percival hobbling, but Longhurst receiving oxygen. Looks bad but she’s up and walking off the pitch. She’ll be subbed off, as Galabadaarachchi is her replacement. Julia Simic is also on for West Ham.

63’ — Play resumes after a lengthy pause, and Spurs break forward in attack. Ayane could square the ball but instead shoots herself and puts it high over the bar.

70’ — CLOSE! Rianna Dean with a shot in the box off of a short free kick that Brosnan just gets a fingertip to. Spurs nearly doubled their lead.

73’ — Sub for Spurs, their second — Lucy Quinn is on for Kit Graham who has been quiet today.

77’ — Golden opportunity for Spurs on the break — Ayane gets the ball in space and could shoot but opts to square to try and find Lucy Quinn. Lucy can’t get to the cross and it goes out.

79’ — UGH West Ham clear the ball off the line alsdkjflkasdjfl;

86’ — Another close call for Spurs as Emma Mitchell’s free kick to the back post is headed centrally but put over by Green. Mitchell then goes close with a rebound shot that goes just wide.

87’ — Third sub for Spurs as Angela Addison comes on for Ayane.

91’ — Goal West Ham. Crushing. Kenza Dali gets the goal and levels the score in injury time.

96’ — GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!! It’s Rianna Dean!!!!!! Substitute Angela Addison gets forward on the break and puts a chipped cross into the box for Dean to head home! Surely the winner?

100’ — Some frantic defending from Spurs as West Ham search for a second equalizer. We’re into extra time of extra time here.

FULL TIME — YES! Spurs get the three points and a three match sweep of West Ham thanks to Rianna Dean’s 96th minute winner! What a match!

Reactions

• Boy, things got hairy there for a while late, but this was a big win for Spurs, who seem to have settled as one of the “best-of-the-rest” teams in the WSL this season.
• Rosella Ayane got a rare start today and showed some real industry going forward. She’s got gobs of pace but her decision making and shot left a little bit to be desired.
• Spurs had plenty of opportunities going forward in this match but rarely were able to get good shots at the ends of their breaks. It was a bit frustrating to watch the ball sail into the carpark instead of at the goal.
• It was a proper London derby, with numerous stoppages of play for injuries. Hard tackles, crunching collisions. They left it on the field.
• Tottenham’s defense was for the most part very good, and Mitchell in particular looks like she’ll have no problems staking a place in Spurs’ back line.
• Very quiet match for Kit Graham, who was subbed off in the second half.
• Spurs’ next match is a tough one — a trip to Manchester United. United are good (just ask Spurs last season) but this would be a statement win for them.