Tottenham Woman 3-1 Brighton Women: Alex Morgan penalty sends Spurs to first league win

New manager, new era for Tottenham Hotspur Women. Spurs’ gaffer Rehanne Skinner led her side out onto the pitch for the first time today in a home match against Brighton & Hove Albion Women, and Spurs delivered. Tottenham got goals from Kerys Harrop, Angela Addison, and a penalty kick from superstar Alex Morgan, and Spurs got a 3-1 win, their first league win of the season.

It was a similar lineup for Skinner as what we’ve seen from Spurs in past matches, with Alex Morgan getting the start up top beside Rosella Ayane. Captain Josie Green anchored the midfield along with Ria Percival.

Key Moments

First Half

2’ — Alex Morgan broke through behind BHA’s defense and looked like she might get a shot off but there was no one in support and it’s nicked off her feet.

9’ — GOAL TOTTENHAM! Kerys Harrop with a free kick from the edge of the box! The BHA keeper got a hand on it but couldn’t keep it out of the net. 1-0 Spurs!

25’ — Spurs go close again from a corner, which is placed well at the near post by Ria Percival and flicked just over the bar by Alex Morgan.

27’ — Spurs have forced a number of Brighton turnovers with their high press. They’re playing well today.

30’ — Angela Addison with a shot on target! She corralled a pass into space that was just ahead of her, dribbled around a BHA defender, and put a low ball in from an acute angle that was saved by the keeper.

32’ — Oh no, penalty to Brighton! Alana Kennedy has a high boot in the box that grazes a Brighton defender and the ref points to the spot. Deserved, too — that was a dangerous play.

33’ — Goal to Brighton. Inessa Kaagman equalizes from the penalty spot. 1-1.

40’ — SHOT ALEX MORGAN but it’s well saved by Walsh, who goes to ground to palm it away. Looked like Morgan was surprised that the ball was loose before she shot it.

44’ — Nearly! Addison feeds the ball to Ria Percival who made a nice run into the box for Spurs. She fires a shot that’s deflected out for a corner. That was close!

HALFTIME — A BHA penalty cancels out a great free kick goal from Kerys Harrop and Spurs go into halftime level.

Second Half

No changes for Spurs Women as they start the 2nd half.

55’ — Brighton fire a long bouncing shot that’s a comfortable save by Becky Spencer. It’s really the first time she’s been remotely tested this half, penalty aside. Spurs’ defense has been pretty good.

58’ — Good counter from Spurs! Ayane races down the right flank and puts in a cross. Percival was there as was Morgan, but Morgan can’t get a head on it and ends up conceding a foul.

59’ — Alex Morgan has the ball in the net.... but it’s ruled out for offside. First sub for Spurs as Lucy Quinn comes on for Ayane, who was great today.

64’ — GOAL TOTTENHAM! It’s Angela Addison! She got put through on goal, dribbled around a defender and the keeper and slots home! Fantastic effort and Spurs take the lead!

68’ — Whoa! Very close from Brighton — a long shot by Kaagman caught Spencer off her line and it comes off the underside of the crossbar and out. Scary!

84’ — PENALTY TO SPURS! Percival was shoved over in the box and Alex Morgan will take the penalty!

85’ — GOALLLLLLLLL ALEX MORGAN with her first Tottenham goal from the spot! 3-1 to Spurs!

86’ — Double sub for Spurs — Jessica Naz comes in for Kennedy, and Rachel Williams comes on for Morgan.

FULL TIME! Final score: Tottenham Women 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion Women

Reactions

• It’s early days here in the Rehanna Skinner Era™ but Spurs are playing with what looks like a lot more freedom in attack. They consistently hit well on the counter and looked dangerous. I don’t know if it’s a new manager bounce, but it’s as good as I’ve seen them play.
• Can’t really argue with the penalty call. Kennedy’s boot was way high and she knew it right away. She was probably lucky to only get a yellow.
• Great goal from Angela Addison, who has again been very bright going forward in the counter. Rosella Ayane also had a good match.
• Alex Morgan played well — she was through on goal a number of times and even had one in the net from the run of play but was ruled out for outside. But she took the penalty well for her first Spurs goal.
• Super excited to see Jessica Naz out there — she’s a promising young England youth international but missed the entire 2019-20 season with a long-term injury. This was her first match action, and she could have a bright future.
• Great win for Spurs, who move up to 9th in the table two points behind Brighton. Next week Spurs play newly-promoted Aston Villa.