Brighton WFC 0-1 Tottenham Women: Dean penalty fires Spurs to first away win since October

We keep crowing about it but it bears saying again just how good an inaugural season Tottenham Hotspur Women are having in the Women’s Super League this year. Today they traveled to Brighton to take on Brighton & Hove Albion, and came away with a HUGE 1-0 win over the Seagulls to put them up to sixth place in the table. Brighton’s Lea Le Garrec picked up two yellow cards in seven minutes to put the hosts down a player in the first half. Angela Addison earned Spurs a penalty in the second half, and Rianna Dean converted to give Spurs their first away win since October.

Getting injury news is difficult for Spurs Women as there isn’t the same level of interest or communication between the media and the clubs. So it was a bit of a surprise to see Lucia Leon and Angela Addison in the starting lineup — Addison played well and scored a header in a substitute role in Spurs’ draw at Everton last weekend and got the start today. Rianna Dean retained her role at the tip of the spear, but Kit Graham, Chloe Peplow and Lucy Quinn all started the match on the bench. No sign of Emma Mitchell — the other goal scorer at Everton was not in the matchday 18 for reasons unknown.

First Half

1’ — Straight away a collision in Spurs’ box, but while Brighton appeals for a penalty, nothing’s given.

15’ — First shot on target of the match goes to Angela Addison, the heroine of last week’s Everton draw. She skips into the box and has a shot but it’s straight at the Brighton keeper.

20’ — Brighton are pressing high up the pitch trying to force Spurs into a mistake, but Tottenham have dealt with it very well and have started a couple of good attacks by breaking it. Still, Brighton might only need one good chance.

28’ — Pretty even half thus far. Few chances, fewer shots. But both teams are trying to push forward at pace with the ball whenever possible. Fun for the neutral?

33’ — RED CARD FOR BRIGHTON! Lea Le Garrec puts in a harsh challenge on Josie Green in midfield and picks up her second yellow. She’s off and Spurs are up a player!

38’ — Good opportunity for Brighton as Whelan fires from inside the box, forcing a good save from Spencer.

41’ — Spurs are up a player but haven’t really taken advantage of it yet. Still few shots, but a lot of possession. They need to start to turn the screws now, but they have the additional advantage of time.

HALFTIME — Spurs ended up with a player advantage, but Brighton still looked very good going forward. A pretty even half, all things considered.

Second Half

Brighton make a halftime sub, bringing on forward Ini-Abasi Umatong. No changes for Spurs.

47’ — Very good opportunity for Josie Green in Brighton’s box, but she bobbles her touch and it dribbles right to Walsh for an easy save. Drat.

52’ — Not a consequential play, but Lucia Leon just had a lovely pullback-turn in midfield to progress the ball. Nifty bit of skill, though it ultimately didn’t lead to a chance.

59’ — Collision between Le Tissier and Leon at the edge of the box. Leon thinks she got fouled there, but the free kick is given to Brighton.

61’ — Short corner for Spurs taken by Addison, and Ria Percival tries her luck from 30 yards. Not a bad effort, but Walsh collects it easily.

64’ — Credit to Brighton — they’re not giving up and are still pushing forward with quickness and pace whenever possible despite

65’ — PENALTY TO SPURS! Angela Addison is taken down by Simpkins in the box and Spurs can take the lead from the spot!

66’ — GOAL TOTTENHAM! It’s Rianna Dean who converts from the spot and Spurs lead!

66’ — Quick substitution after the goal as Lucia Leon comes off for Lucy Quinn.

74’ — Addison with a nifty chipped pass to start a Spurs break but runs into a Brighton player and is adjudged to have committed a foul. Free kick to Brighton and it’s just turned wide in the box. Yiiiiiiiiiikes. Victoria Williams nearly scored there.

78’ — Second sub for Spurs as Kit Graham comes on for Angela Addison, who had a very nice match today for Tottenham.

78’ — Almost an instant impact for Graham as she gets a shot away that Walsh just barely manages to stop.

85’ — Yellow card to Brighton’s Bowman for barging Quinn in midfield. Free kick doesn’t amount to anything.

86’ — Final sub for Spurs as Gemma Davison comes off for Chloe Peplow.

90’ — Five minutes of extra time to be played, and this match ain’t over yet.

90+5’ — Spurs in full time-wasting mode here as “injuries” are plentiful. Dean has had at least two, lol.

FULL TIME! Spurs get a huge away win which takes them up to sixth in the table, a point behind Reading and a point ahead of Everton, though both Reading and Everton have games in hand.

Reactions

• Spurs started with a number of their regular XI on the bench our out of the side today, but their replacements had nice matches. Lucia Leon and Angela Addison both put together quality shifts, especially Addison who was lively throughout the match and earned the penalty.
• Brighton are a high-pressing, quality team especially at home. 12 of their 13 points this season have come at home, so nicking a win here is a huge result for Spurs.
• The Brighton crowd won’t like some of the official’s decisions, which seemed to favor Tottenham in the large strokes. They have a point — Spurs benefitted from a couple of huge calls, none bigger than the second yellow on Le Garrec.
• No clue where Emma Mitchell was today. The Arsenal loanee wasn’t in the side, which makes me wonder if she’s injured. Hopefully not!
• Spurs run a bit of a gauntlet in their next few matches — they play away to the Arsenal-Lewes winner (hint: it’ll be Arsenal) on March 15, and still have matches to play against Chelsea, Reading, at Manchester City, and at Arsenal. It’ll be tough, but if Spurs can take care of business against the winnable teams and maybe nick a result against the top four, they have a legitimate shot of finishing fifth or sixth this season. That would be massive.