Suzanne Wrack's match report
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Robert Vilahamn talks to the BBC. “We play against a very good team and they are starting the game in a very good way. But then we come into the game and create some really good chances and we defend very well the whole game, except for the goal. It’s an even game, even if they are the better team with the ball… We compete for 97 minutes and push them down and that’s what I want to see right now. It’s steps and in the long end we’re going to be able to win these games.”
Kim Little speaks to the BBC. “I think we are happy. We got the three points and that’s what we need. I think there were really sharp moments where we created good opportunities but there were sluggish moments too. Sometimes, off the back of an international break, players coming in are all in different places, so I think we managed that well but we definitely weren’t at the top of our game.”
Russo’s winner.
Little ➡️ Mead ➡️ Russo@ArsenalWFC get the Gunners crowd going! #BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/NaogrzjlVh
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 3, 2024
Far from a classic north London derby in front of more than 60,000 supporters.
Arsenal dominated possession throughout the game but didn’t create an abundance of chances. Yet they were largely untroubled in the second half as Tottenham struggled to get a foothold in the game. Naz’s effort onto the Arsenal crossbar was the closest they came.
Arsenal remain in third place while Tottenham remain in sixth.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City Women | 15 | 29 | 37 |
| 2 | Chelsea Women | 14 | 28 | 34 |
| 3 | Arsenal Women | 15 | 19 | 34 |
| 4 | Liverpool FC Women | 15 | 0 | 25 |
| 5 | Man Utd Women | 14 | 13 | 24 |
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FULL TIME Arsenal 1 - 0 Tottenham
Eidevall raises his fist on the touchline. He knows how important this victory is for the title race. Arsenal are still third-favourites but at least they’re in the conversation.
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90 min + 6: Arsenal look like they’ve taken the sting out of this game. They take the ball to the right corner flag in an attempt to run down the clock.
90 min +2: Tottenham are knocking on the door in the final stages. Clinton gets onto the end of a pass from midfield. Receiving it on the edge of the box, she races to the byline and cuts the ball back to Amy James-Turner. James-Turner can’t get a clean connection with the ball though and Arsenal clear it.
90 min: Seven minutes of additional time. The extra time will suit Tottenham.
85 min: The Tottenham substitute Ahtinen has stayed down after a late challenge on the midfielder. Both sides have a short break before the final showdown.
80 min: The added competitiveness might have knocked Spencer off her game. As Tottenham try to play out from the back, she gives the ball away cheaply. She rushes out to save the ball before the Arsenal can capitalise on the chance though.
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79 min: Beth Mead takes a free kick for Arsenal about 25-yards out. It’s straight at Spencer who catches it easily before giving an Arsenal player a shove. McCabe is having none of it and the two players confront one another in the box. It’s getting spicy in the closing stages of this game.
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73 min: Leah Williamson receives a hero’s welcome from the Arsenal faithful as she is introduced. She had been out with a hamstring injury. Eidevall makes three substitutions, including Williamson, as his side try to see out the game.
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70 min: For all Arsenal’s skilful build up, they don’t half overplay it. Kim Little collects the ball in space and picks out Foord on the left. Foord tries to play it back to her in the box but it’s cut out by Tottenham. Somebody needs to shoot.
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66 min: Half-hearted penalty shouts from Eidevall on the touchline. Arsenal give Tottenham a geometry lesson, passing the ball in triangles on the edge of the box. Arsenal scoop the ball into the area for McCabe to reach. She’s felled in the six yard box but it didn’t look like a penalty.
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64 min: Drew Spence is immediately into the action. She wins a foul in the middle of the field as Tottenham try to get a hold of the game. Wubben-Moy picks up the first booking of the day.
60 min: Tottenham need a change, or three, to turn this game around. Vilahamn makes a triple change with Neville, Graham and Naz making way for Ramona Petzelberger, Drew Spence and Olga Ahtinen.
57 min: Arsenal are bossing the game. It’s pass, pass, pass for Arsenal as they control the midfield.
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53 min:It’s been three games since Tottenham won a game in the WSL. Vilahamn’s side will need a big second half to avoid a fourth consecutive loss.
GOAL! Arsenal 1 0 Tottenham (Russo 49)
Arsenal make their fast start to the second half pay. Kim Little picks up the ball on the left hand side and clips the ball into Beth Mead in the box. Mead traps the ball well, cuts in and hits it with her left foot. The shot is blocked but falls to Russo in the six yard box. She calmly shoots the ball into the top right hand corner. Great start for Arsenal!
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46 min: An early chance for Arsenal in this second half. The ball is loose on the edge of the Tottenham penalty area and McCabe smashes a first time shot at goal. I assume Eidevall’s team talk consisted of the words: “shoot more!”
45 min: Arsenal get us underway in the second half, kicking from left to right.
Both teams stand, huddled in the middle of the pitch. I wonder what the manager said to the players. The game is there for the taking.
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HT: No goal at the break! ⚖️#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/MUeFDLE7b0
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 3, 2024
If today’s north London derby has enticed you, be sure to sign up to The Guardian’s FREE weekly newsletter, Moving Goalposts, for updates on the women’s game around the world.
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A quick reminder of what is at stake for Arsenal. Their title rivals, Manchester City, beat Everton 2-1 in yesterday’s only game.
HALF TIME Arsenal 0 - 0 Tottenham
Tottenham have held Arsenal in the first half. For all Arsenal’s intent, they’ve failed to really test Tottenham. The visitors have come closest with Naz hitting the crossbar. Vilahamn will be the happier manager.
45 min: Within a couple of passes, Foord is through and bearing down on the Tottenham goal. She tries to cut in but loses it to the Tottenham defender. It’s another promising opportunity that comes to nothing. That sums up Arsenal’s half really.
44 min: Beautiful skill from Bizet on the right for Tottenham. She sells Catley with a stop and go, leaving the Arsenal play eating dust. Nothing comes from it though and Arsenal soon break on the counter attack…
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40 min: Spencer gives the ball away cheaply to Arsenal after a drop kick. Arsenal exchange passes beautifully, releasing Catley on the left hand side. Her cross is overhit though and Arsenal fail to register a meaningful shot on target.
33 min: Steph Catley receives the ball on the left hand touchline. She has all the time in the world to play a sublime through ball into Caitlin Foord. The Arsenal forward has strayed offside though.
29 min: Arsenal are still dominating this north London derby but Tottenham have certainly grown into the game. Despite Arsenal’s possession, Tottenahm have had the best chances.
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23 min: What a strike! Tottenham pick up the ball on the left hand side with Jessica Naz. The forward cuts inside, not too dissimilar to Thomas earlier in the half, and strikes the ball onto the crossbar. Zinsberger got a touch on the thunderous strike and it’s out for a Tottenham corner - their first of the game.
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22 min: Arsenal enjoy another bright in the final third. McCabe tries to play a neat through ball to Russo but it’s too close to Spencer who comfortably collects the ball.
17 min: Tottenham have survived the early pressure and pick up the ball after a turnover in play. Within a flash, a through ball sets Martha Thomas away on the right hand side. She sprints towards the box and cleverly cuts inside to let off a left-footed shot. It’s straight at Zinsberger though.
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16 min: In all fairness Vilahamn’s side we expecting a difficult opening exchange. In Friday’s press conference the manager said: “I don’t think anyone here expects us to win the game but we can if we have a great day.”
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15 min: No, they can’t. Tottenham are managing to get a hold of the game as we hit the 15 minute mark.
10 min: I’ve lost count of how many corners Arsenal have won. It’s relentless pressure from the home side. Arsenal have scored a quarter (eight) of their goals in the first 15 minutes of WSL matches this season. Can they do the same again today?
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8 min: Arsenal are dominating the early stages of the game. The midfield work it well to the right where Beth Mead sends in a cross. It’s blocked by a Tottenham defender and goes out for another corner.
3 min: Alessia Russo registers the first shot on target after a second Arsenal corner. It’s comfortable for Spencer in goal though. Russo then has a chance at redemption. A third corner is whipped in to the back post from the right. The ball falls to the Arsenal forward but she’s stretching and only manages to poke it wide. It’s a promising start from Arsenal.
2 min: Arsenal win an early corner but it ultimately comes to nothing. They’ll be keen to start well in front of their adoring fans.
1 min: Tottenham kick off in front of a sold out crowd at The Emirates.
Robert Vilahamn will be hoping to spoil the Arsenal party though as he indicated in his Friday press conference. “I mean we haven’t beaten them before and I think that shows what we’re capable of and shows what we want to do every game against them so I think that was a proof that we are taking steps. Then of course to beat them again would be even more nice to show the world that we are taking more steps.”
The Emirates Stadium is in fact sold out for the derby today. Eidevall is chuffed as he speaks to the BBC Sport pundits on the touchline.
Speaking in Friday’s press conference Jonas Eidevall was excited by the prospect of a sold out crowd at the Emirates Stadium today. “Yeah, I heard we have 166 tickets left so whoever can rush and be lucky and get those last tickets. It’s incredible, it’s great, and it very much shows that it’s not a one-off. It’s less than 12 months ago that we sold out the stadium for the first time for the Women’s team against Wolfsburg in the Champions League semi-final… We’re not only searching for the highs, but we’re also searching for consistency, we’re searching for sustainability, we’re searching for creating a culture at Emirates Stadium week-in, week-out, and this shows great progress in doing so.”
Three changes for the Tottenham side who lost to 2-1 to Aston Villa before the international break. The Spurs keeper Rebecca Spencer is in for Barbora Votíková. Charlotte Grant makes way for Ashleigh Neville who returns to the team after injury. Jessica Naz is also in for Bethany England.
Three changes for the Arsenal after they beat Manchester United 3-1. Cloé Lacasse, Stina Blackstenius and Sabrina D’Angelo make way for Caitlin Foord, Alessia Russo and Manuela Zinsberger. Eidevall’s team will be boosted by a Leah Williamson return from injury.
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The teams
Arsenal (4-3-2-1): Zinsberger, Wubben-Moy, Catley, Mead, Little, Wälti, McCabe, Foord, Pelova, Russo, Codina
Subs: Williams, Bouhaddi, Williamson, Reid, Cooney-Cross, Earl, Maanum, V. Lia, Blackstenius
Tottenham (4-4-2): Spencer, Neville, Bartrip, James-Turner, Nildén, Graham, Summanen, Bizet Ildhusøy, Clinton, Naz, Thomas
Subs: Votíková, Grant, Bühler, Vinberg, Ahtinen, Spence, Petzelberger, Wang, England
Referee: Abi Byrne
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) March 3, 2024
🧱 @lottewubbenmoy and @laiacodina5 at the back
🫡 Captain Kim in the middle
⚡️ @alessiarusso7 leads the line
Ready to meet that sold-out Emirates Stadium 🥰 pic.twitter.com/KU7GtrHj8d
📋 Team news ahead of #ARSTOT is in!
— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) March 3, 2024
⚪️ Neville returns
🧤 Spencer in goal
⚽️ Thomas + Naz up top pic.twitter.com/FuCqjTlkp4
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Preamble
Hello and welcome to live minute by minute coverage of Arsenal v Tottenham in the Women’s Super League.
This is a chance for Arsenal to keep the pressure on Chelsea and Manchester City at the top of the table, after City’s 2-1 win over Everton yesterday. Jonas Eidevall’s side will be hoping to entertain the home fans in a packed out Emirates Stadium.
For Tottenham, it’s a chance to beat Arsenal again after a historic 1-0 victory over the Gunners 1-0 in December (their first WSL win against Arsenal). Although Tottenham sit sixth in the table, Robert Vilahamn’s side will be keen to show they’ve closed the gap between themselves and their north London rivals.
This should be a competitive north London derby, matched by a fantastic atmosphere.
Kick off 12:30pm.
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