Everton 1-0 Tottenham Women: Spurs fall to Toffees behind Christiansen header

Tottenham Hotspur and Everton were very well matched last season in the FA WSL, but Everton always seemed to have a slight edge in their two matches. That proved to be the case again today. Spurs had a difficult time going forward, and fell 1-0 to the Toffees behind an Izzy Christiansen header shortly after halftime.

Alex Morgan hasn’t joined the team yet and it’ll be a week or so before she does, but her two on-loan Orlando Pride teammates both got starts today — Alanna Kennedy and Shelina Zadorsky both started, and Spurs managers Karen Hills and Juan Amoros opted to slot in Rachel Williams alongside Kit Graham, with Rianna Dean moving to the bench.

Key Moments

6’ — Scary moment there — Everton’s Raso pounces on a bad back-pass and Becky Spencer goes low to make a good save. Nearly a goal for Everton.

19’ — Penalty shout for Spurs as Percival is taken down in the box, but the official waves play on.

39’ — A couple of half-chances for Spurs off their first corners of the match — Josie Green thumps a long range effort at goal that forces a save from MacIver.

HALF-TIME: Even at the break, but Everton have looked ever so slightly like the better side.

Gemma Davison, Lucy Quinn, and Rosella Ayane are on at halftime for Spurs, as Lucia Leon, Rachel Williams, and Addison are off.

50’ — Goal to Everton. A lovely cross from the left side by Sorensen finds the head of Izzy Christiansen who heads it past Spencer. 1-0 to the hosts.

64’ — A couple of yellow cards for Everton — Ingrid Moe Wold and Finnegan both pick up yellows for cheap fouls.

70’ — Spurs really trying to push forward to get the equalizer. A few half-chances but nothing particularly close.

77’ — Yellow card for Spurs’ Karys Harrop who handles the ball outside the box. Free kick to Everton.

81’ — Fourth sub for Spurs: Chloe Peplow on for captain Josie Green.

86’ — Final sub for Spurs — Rianna Dean comes on for Kerys Harrop. Attacker for a defender — Spurs throwing everything at the Everton defense.

FULL TIME: Everton take the three points today. Final score: 1-0.

Key Players

Ria Percival — Ria was pretty critical in defense for Tottenham, putting in a number of last-ditch tackles to keep Everton at bay.

Rosella Ayane — Didn’t score but was a spark in offense in the second half.

Reactions

• Tottenham again didn’t muster much by way of offense. You know who might help with that going forward? Alex Morgan. Alex Morgan might help with that.
• Hills and Amoros rolled the dice at halftime, bringing on three subs. That sounds like a lot, and it is! Remember that WSL clubs get five subs because of COVID.
• This was a frustrating match. Spurs have a decent defense and a pretty good midfield but aren’t generating much of anything going forward. A lot of industry but no real chances.
• Interesting that Rianna Dean, Spurs’ leading scorer last season, didn’t come on until very late in this match. She was marked into oblivion against West Ham, so maybe this was a calculated decision by Hills and Amoros.
• The two Orlando loanees, Zadorsky and Kennedy, both provided some steel in defense, but not a whole lot of memorable moments.
• If Spurs are going to improve on their standing from last season, Everton is the kind of opponent that they need to beat. They won’t take a whole lot of comfort from this performance and the offense is becoming a real concern. Hurry up, Alex.