We’ll leave you now with Suzanne Wrack’s match report. Until next time!
Some final scores elsewhere in the WSL:
Everton 0-3 Chelsea
Manchester City 0-1 Brighton
It finished Manchester United 5-0 West Ham earlier, and it’s Bristol City 0-0 Aston Villa at half-time.
Chelsea are 2-0 up at Everton, with Sam Kerr doing Sam Kerr things.
Who else? @samkerr1 scores for @ChelseaFCW 🙌#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/cpikF6XjN0
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) November 12, 2023
Liverpool’s Gemma Bonner is awarded the player of the match. She speaks to the BBC:
“It was probably an entertaining game for the neutral. We were disappointed at half time, but we managed to get the goal in the second half and were disappointed not to get another. We can perform better, so there’s a bit of frustration, but a point on the road at Spurs is a good one.”
This was the Liverpool leveller. They responded in good fashion in that second half.
Liverpool are level!
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 12, 2023
Sophie Haug with the header.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/7vYcy2AovV
FULL TIME
It finishes Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool.
You have to say that’s a fair scoreline all in all, with the goals coming from Norwegian forwards, Celin Bizet Ildhusøy opening for Spurs with a fine first half solo effort and Sophie Román Haug’s header levelling the scores.
Both managers will feel their team could have done more to push for all three points, but they maintain their identical records after six matches: three wins, one defeat and now two draws apiece, level in the WSL table on 12 points.
There’s some major concern for Olga Ahtinen deep in added time. The Spurs midfielder is receiving treatment and is going off on a stretcher to a big ovation from the Brisbane Road crowd. Let’s hope this isn’t serious.
93 mins. Spurs apply some pressure … and they want a free-kick on the edge of the box but don’t get it from the referee. Time is running out.
92 mins. It’s end to end stuff in stoppage time and it’s breathless. Liverpool hoist in a free-kick from Kearns that pinballs around and drops to Holland, who volleys over.
Four minutes of added time to come. It’s now or never for these two evenly-matched teams. Stick or twist?
90 mins. Thankfully for Spurs, the free-kick was wasted by Liverpool, but the hosts’ ability to cut through with their attacking interplay has deserted them at a key time. Thomas looks shattered and the composure has gone from the Tottenham midfield.
88 mins. Spurs really aren’t helping themselves. After winning it back, they give it away in their own half, then a silly foul from Thomas brings a Liverpool free-kick in a fairly dangerous spot.
86 mins. A great catch from Laws coming off her line, claiming Naz’s cross.
This game really is up for grabs now.
84 mins. A big chance for Gemma Bonner at the back post from a Liverpool free-kick! Somehow she volleys wide from close range.
Manchester United beat West Ham 5-0 in the end. Are they the ‘best of the rest’ in this league? Or can either of these sides grab the win to propel themselves towards the summit?
Spurs bring on Ellie Brazil, making a long-awaited comeback after an ACL injury.
82 mins. Nearly a horrible moment for Becky Spencer in the Spurs goal. An inexplicable inability to catch the bouncing through-ball almost lands Tottenham in huge trouble, but it’s scraped away for a corner in the end.
80 mins. Into the final 10 minutes plus added time now and, for me, Tottenham still look the more likely side to win it. They’ve reestablished some control after conceding the leveller and everything is going through Martha Thomas.
78 mins. Clinton drills a daisycutter at goal, but Rachael Laws is equal to it between the Liverpool sticks.
Thomas then drags her shot to the left from distance … she had options to her right but didn’t use them.
Updated
A double sub for Liverpool, as Natasha Flint and Missy Bo Kearns are introduced, Haug and Hobinger going off.
You can really sense a grandstand finish is coming up in this game.
75 mins. It’s now Liverpool’s turn to appeal for a penalty. They believe they was a tug of Haug’s shirt in the box after that corner, but the referee gives nothing. Spurs are wobbling a bit here.
74 mins. More joy for Liverpool. Hobinger’s shot is deflected after they win the ball high up the pitch and now they have a corner.
72 mins. Spurs are screaming for a penalty for a potential foul on Bizet Ildhusøy, but it looks from the replay like Bonner timed her challenge to perfection. She needed to, given the circumstances.
70 mins. There’s a fresh injection of pace and energy in this game now, as Liverpool sense the opportunity to pounce while Spurs lick their wounds. There has to be a steeliness to the home side now, to avoid drawing another game 1-1 after going in front – which is what happened last week against Everton.
Updated
68 mins. Eesh you’d think Robert Vilahamn will be hugely frustrated to see his side concede that goal. It was all too easy, at a time when Spurs appeared in control of the game. Haug is a super finisher though.
Naz has a great chance on the counter for Spurs but it’s a tame finish and too easy for the goalkeeper.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool (Román Haug, 66)
She’s not going to miss that! Game on. Classic centre-forward play from Sophia Román Haug to score her first Liverpool goal, nodding home a great cross from the substitute, Daniels.
Updated
63 mins. Now a Liverpool change, as Melissa Lawley is removed in place of Yana Daniels. I thought Lawley looked arguably the Reds’ best player …
61 mins. Spurs have introduced Jessica Naz to their attack, replacing Kit Graham, armed with a scrap of paper which is passed via the manager to Bizet Ildhusøy. Vital instructions, no doubt.
60 mins. Having said that referee Abi Byrne had done a good job in keeping the game flowing in the first half, it’s been rather stop-start since the resumption. Neither side has got into a rhythm, really.
Tim de Lisle has your updates from today’s Premier League afternoon kickoffs.
57 mins. Fisk has taken a proper bang, courtesy of the advertising hoardings. Ouch. She looks ok to continue though, as the cameras show Sarina Wiegman in the stands watching on.
55 mins. Gemma Bonner gets in a perfectly-timed tackle on Thomas to stop the Spurs striker in her tracks. Van de Sanden then wins her side a corner, but there’s little genuine threat from Liverpool at this stage.
52 mins. Liverpool’s high press means keeping controlled possession is no easy feat for Spurs in this game, but the visitors are having difficulty latching onto the second balls. They need a bit more physicality from Haug up top.
Updated
Thursday: Aron Donnum scores against Liverpool in the Europa League.
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 12, 2023
Sunday: His fiancé Celin Bizet scores against Liverpool in the WSL.
Couple goals 😍⚽️ pic.twitter.com/kG4TT86Icq
50 mins. Kit Graham tries an audacious volley/lob on the turn and it’s not too far off. Great effort but just over.
49 mins. That’s a slightly strange piece of play from Martha Thomas. She let the ball run after being played through, and then mistimed her run from Angharad James’ through-ball and is offside.
47 mins. Tottenham are starting the second half as they ended the first – on top. They’re desperate for this second goal, which could potentially kill the game.
SECOND HALF
Back on.
Manchester United are 3-0 up and cruising against West Ham, with Nikita Parris and Millie Turner adding to that early Geyse goal. Jessie Fleming has shot Chelsea into an early lead at Everton, while it’s goalless between Manchester City and Brighton right now.
Another Turner is coming on for half-time for Spurs … Amy Turner comes into the back four to replace Luana Bühler.
Updated
This is the goal that separates the sides. Some effort.
A brilliant solo goal from Celin Bizet 👏
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 12, 2023
Tottenham take the lead against Liverpool.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/ZgKNov4WFv
HALF TIME
A very watchable half of football comes to a close, with Tottenham deservedly in front. Some of their attacking play has truly dazzled at Brisbane Road and the margin could easily be more than 1-0, even if Liverpool have been a threat on the break. Celin Bizet Ildhusøy has scored one and also hit the bar.
The visitors have lost Mia Enderby to injury and their manager Matt Beard definitely has some thinking to do during the interval.
Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool.
45 mins. Clinton hasn’t been very good since I praised her for having an immaculate all-round game. Oops. Into four minutes of first half stoppage time.
Off the woodwork! It’s that woman Bizet Ildhusøy again, unfurling a fierce shot that rockets off the underside of the crossbar and away to safety, following another well-worked Tottenham move. It might have been 2-0 just before the break.
42 mins. Shanice van de Sanden, 31, is going to replace the teenager, Enderby, by the looks of it. The Dutch veteran boasts a wealth of experience.
41 mins. The replay shows Enderby actually trod on Neville’s foot, but she’s in a fair amount of pain, having clearly jarred something in that duel.
39 mins. Liverpool want a foul for Neville’s challenge on Enderby but there’s nothing doing, says the referee. It’s been a game without many stoppages in truth but Enderby stays down and might require some attention here.
36 mins. Liverpool’s counterattacking threat has never gone away; they just cannot find that finish after doing all the hard running. Fisk has been good marauding forward from right-back and Haug gets another chance, but this one is headed over.
34 mins. Spencer makes a comfortable save at her near post down the other end, as Spurs continue to win the midfield battle at Brisbane Road. I’ve been really impressed with Grace Clinton, she can do the lot.
33 mins. Bizet Ildhusøy nearly notches her second of the afternoon, attempting an audacious flicked volley that almost flies inside the back post, but just bounces wide.
30 mins. Hmm, the BBC commentators seem to think that goal came ‘against the run of play’ but I’m not so sure. Spurs have looked the more dangerous, and they might have doubled their lead had Martha Thomas not run into a cul-de-sac there. She ran out of steam and had to chop back.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool (Bizet Ildhusøy, 27)
She certainly did dust herself down! What a solo effort this is. Celin Bizet Ildhusøy take a bow. That was a display of speed, strength and then poise to arrow it into the bottom left corner as the Liverpool defenders failed to get close to her.
Updated
26 mins. Spurs are making the pitch big in possession and it’s working to an extent; they’re carving out space for themselves. Celin Ildhusoy has taken a bash going up for a header, but she dusts herself down.
23 mins. It’s no exaggeration to call that the biggest opportunity of this game by a country mile. Spurs have enjoyed the better of this, but Liverpool should be a goal in front.
22 mins. Consider this an Ashleigh Neville tackling appreciation post. Rock. Solid. The only issue is that she’s playing left-back for Spurs and is cutting inside on her favoured right foot too often.
And what a miss from Roman Haug! It really opened up for Liverpool and she was picked out at the back post, but somehow skies it.
Updated
19 mins. Safe hands from Becky Spencer – her first involvement in the game – but Liverpool are turning up the dial a tad, here. Lots of endeavour but little patience from the team in red.
17 mins. A corner to Liverpool this time, thanks to Lawley’s composure in holding the ball up. The Reds are giving as good as they’re getting … but Enderby cannot quite latch onto the knockdown from the corner.
15 mins. Martha Thomas is absolutely brimming with confidence – and so she should be as the WSL’s current top scorer. A thumping Neville tackle brings Thomas the ball in the box, a couple of stepovers later and the former United forward unleashed a shot that was deflected.
After the corner, Liverpool break through Mia Enderby but she’s offside.
12 mins. Both teams are getting plenty of joy from their adventurous full-backs, with Taylor Hinds the latest to storm forward from the Liverpool left-back position. The visitors are looking to counter-punch here.
10 mins. There’s been some lovely interplay from Spurs, with Clinton heavily involved in a move that brought about a shot from Angharad James, forward from full-back. Liverpool failed to clear Ashleigh Neville’s cross … but they just manage to scramble away the resulting corner … until Martha Thomas’ cross finds Neville’s head. Just over.
The biggest chance so far, that one.
Updated
6 mins. Grace Fisk embarks on a lung-busting run from right-back for Liverpool to win her side a corner. Hobinger’s delivery, though, isn’t a good one and Spurs clear easily.
4 mins. Liverpool are also implementing a high press in these early stages, and it forced a mistake in possession from Grace Clinton in the Spurs midfield. Neither side has wrestled control as of yet.
2 mins. Robert Vilahamn’s impact with this Tottenham side has been every bit as impressive as his colleague Ange Postecoglou’s influence on the men’s team. Vilahamn has implemented a good style of football and that’s evident in Spurs’ early passing and pressing.
Updated
KICK OFF!
We are under way at Brisbane Road.
There’s no Beth England for Tottenham due to injury today, of course, which could be key. Who will step up for Spurs?
Players and fans will observe a moment’s silence for Remembrance Sunday before kick-off.
Geyse’s brave header has put Manchester United 1-0 up against West Ham at Leigh Sports Village. United are the only team aside from Chelsea who are unbeaten so far in the WSL, albeit they’ve drawn three of their five matches.
We’re awaiting kick-off at Brisbane Road between these two well-matched teams, with the BBC cameras here to catch all the action.
Emma Hayes’ upcoming departure from Chelsea to the USA national team has dominated the headlines in women’s football in the past week or so.
It’s a busy day of action in the Women’s Super League, with Manchester United’s game against West Ham kicking off at midday (GMT), this one starting at 12.30pm and then a raft of fixtures throughout the afternoon including Everton v Chelsea, Man City v Brighton (both 1pm kick-offs), Bristol City v Aston Villa (2pm) and Leicester v Arsenal (6.45pm).
The players have arrived 🙌 pic.twitter.com/RdC3eqb3uE
— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) November 12, 2023
Team news
Tottenham: Spencer; James, Bühler, Batrip, Neville; Ahtinen, Summanen, Graham, Clinton; Bizet Ildhusøy, Thomas
Subs: Votikova, Zadorsky, Turner, Brazil, Naz, Petzelberger, Ayane, Ale, Zhang.
Liverpool: Laws; Fisk, Bonner, Clark, Hinds; Nagano, Holland, Höbinger; Román Haug, Enderby, Lawley
Subs: Spencer, Parry, Kearns, Lundgaard, Daniels, Kiernan, Van de Sanden, Flint
Preamble
Good afternoon! Let’s have some WSL action this Sunday lunchtime, shall we? It’s an intriguing game at Brisbane Road that kicks off in around an hour, with Tottenham and Liverpool boasting identical records after five games of the season, each on 10 points with three wins, a draw and a loss. Both sides finished in the bottom half last season, but could be contenders to push Chelsea and Manchester City at the top this time around, or least proclaim themselves the ‘best of the rest’.
Before this one Liverpool head coach Matt Beard said: “It’s important for the league that it is competitive. It’s great to see and long may it continue for us.” Today’s game should indeed be a very competitive contest.
