City started on the front foot, high-pressing early on, but Spurs switched on. They had a solid defence as they dealt with the visitors’ high press.
Spurs' many issues in this game was misplaced passes that the visitors were able to capitalise on and get back possession.
Lauren Hemp went down and needed treatment within the first 25 minutes of the game after running back to produce a tackle on Jess Naz, breaking down the left. She required treatment and was substituted off with Kerolin coming on for her. Later seen in a protective boot. Though the manager after the match had nothing to report on the injury, they will do some scans.
In the 23rd minute an example of something that likely worked on the training pitch. A great build-up routine with Viviane Miedema. After a little one-two with Aoba Fujino and Bunny Shaw and Fujino produced an excellent finish beating Lize Kop with power at the near post.
Vivianne Miedema got her first goal of the season in the 39th minute from a corner sent by Alex Greenwood and she flicked it in.
That was not all in the first half City made it 3-0. City controlled the first half Kerolin run into the box she attempted to bend it into the top corner but her effort deflected to Kerstin Casparij at the back.
In the second half there was a penalty given to City after Aoba Fujino broke into the box and Clare Hunt lunged in and also received a booking.
It took a while for the penalty to be taken. Miedema and Greenwood stood around the penalty spot with the ball before Shaw came up. The Spurs keeper was making her presence known in some sort of mind games as she smashed her hands together making a loud noise. It worked. It was a long run up; she placed it to the right and Lize Kop dove down and turned it round the post.
Grace Clinton came on against her loan team of 2023/24 in her first appearance after completing the move from Manchester United to City.
When you thought the game was wrapped up Clinton had other ideas thanks to the amazing work of Kerolin. The Brazilian burst down the left. Cut the ball backwards towards the edge of the box and Clinton delivered a perfect debut goal.
By the 80th minute, Spurs fans began to leave the stadium before they scored seven minutes later. Olivia Holdt picked up the ball on the edge of the area and sent an absolute rocket into the top corner.
City was not done with four goals they wanted more. Grace Clinton set herself up for an effort from range, her strike was blocked and deflected into the path of sub Laura Coombs, who wiped it past into the back of the net.
City really proved themselves after a rocky start to the season last time out in an unconvincing win against Brighton.
this time around they had eight shots, four on target and three goals in just the first half.
With Mary Fowler out and now possibly Hemp, are we seeing a repeat of last season where their campaign was significantly impacted by an injury crisis.
The big concern for spurs was the defence, which was crumbling. They were going into the game as the only team not to concede.
That will worry Ho, a coach renowned for his defensive acumen, and who had made a good start following his summer appointment.
Add comment
Comments