Match report
Well thank you for joining me for this match! A Bunny Shaw brace and a Lauren Hemp strike was the difference as Man City continued their run in the WSL to go fourth in the table. Shaw’s two goals has also put her top of the league scorers! We will see you soon for more coverage but for now have a great Saturday.
Here’s Bunny Shaw’s second goal and she created the chance herself:
WHAT A FINISH! 🚀
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) October 22, 2022
Bunny Shaw gets her second of the afternoon with a superb finish 👏 pic.twitter.com/KHetnNBVFy
Man City manager Gareth Taylor told Sky: “I didn’t think we had too much to contend with and that is because we did well at the other end. A really dominant performance from us.
“I really enjoyed the way we set about it, they tried to press with a front three. Hasagawa is playing like she has been here three years. Once we got through the pressure we were a little bit inconsistent and we have scored a few good goals as well.
On Bunny Shaw: “Bunny is the number nine now for this club. She has started the season well, she is a young player.”
Just as I write that Everton go ahead! Lucy Graham the scorer there. Gareth Taylor will face the press in a moment so there are quotes to come from him.
There is another match happening in the league right now as Aston Villa hosting Everton. The game is into the second half but it remains 0-0.
Player of the Match Bunny Shaw told Sky: “It starts on the training pitch. We have been practising, making the movements. The different kinds of crosses from Hemp and Kelly and I am lucky to be on the end of the crosses.”
On top scorer: “The position I play the team look for me to score goals. I have been working on the training pitch perfecting what I am good at. Each game I try and achieve my objectives and luckily today I did that.”
What’s changed between seasons: “I think at the beginning of the season it was learnt eh style of play and my teammates. It was hard as we had a bad start, coming into the new season I trust my teammates and have more belief in myself.”
Have a look at this well worked goal by Lauren Hemp, so stunning:
MAGIC from Lauren Hemp ✨
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) October 22, 2022
The England international puts Man City 3-0 up against Spurs pic.twitter.com/VFf3OByBge
Bunny Shaw is named Player of the Match after her brace, quotes to come from her.
Full-time: Tottenham 0-3 Man City
Well, City were dominant throughout the match but deserved more on the board after some wasted chances. But it is a Bunny Shaw brace and Lauren Hemp score to put Man City fourth in the WSL. Tottenham need to be more clinical when in attack to remain in matches, eventually their defence gives out.
Updated
90 + 3 min: City’s game management here is great, running the ball back to Roebuck who takes her time on the ball. Spurs keep pressing though, they want to give their fans something to celebrate.
90 min: There are five minutes added here as Spurs looks to score but Naz spills the ball. City counters but Kelly’s shot is wide.
88 min: Kelly sends in the corner but it is defended well. Ubogagu is playing for the first time since her ban.
86 min: Hemp does well to pop the ball in the air and she is haring after it. Bartrip, who has had a great game, clears but concedes a corner. Before teh set piece Spurs make some changes Ubogagu and Karczewska on and City also make changes with Ouahabi and Blakstad is on.
84 min: I’m surprised Spurs haven’t made more changes, of course they may not get anything from this game but they could be saving the legs of their players. City are slowly building towards another goal.
82 min: City make a triple change as Shaw, Castellanos and Coombs is off for Fowler, Losada and Angeldal.
80 min: Bizet puts in a loose cross, the patience on these chances need to come for more goals for Spurs this season. Shaw gets a shot but Spencer saves and Hemp then has a strike but it sails over.
78 min: Hemp weaved in and out in the box to then slot home, it was a beautiful strike. Greenwood and Naz have collided but I believe they will continue.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-3 Man City (Hemp, 76')
Naz loses the ball in the midfield and Hemp’s shot is a beauty.
Updated
74 min: City control the tempo with the ball and Hemp pops the ball to Castellanos but Spencer collects before she can get to it. Bizet and Kelly have some words after Bizet gives away a free kick.
72 min: Spurs come again but Turner’s long range shot sails over the bar. They just need more patience on the ball to make these chances goals. Neville does really well to get Spence a chance but the chance just goes over the bar. Please Sarina Wiegman get Neville in the England set-up!
70 min: Shaw almost has her hat-trick but she needed more control on the ball there as it goes wide. Spurs counter and Summanen plays Neville in but the ball is just ahead of the player. They have a corner but Summanen can’t get to it.
67 min: Greenwood fouls Naz to give Spurs a bit of relief and breathing space. Neville makes a good pass but Hasagawa defends the play well. Kelly is pushed to the floor by James but no foul is given, City are with the ball once more though.
65 min: A close chance from Kelly sails over the bar with a snatched shot. They get a corner though and Kelly sends it in but it is cleared. Morgan gets it back in but Spurs come away with it.
63 min: Roebuck’s clearance is straight to Neville but the star can’t create anything from it. City once again in possession as they seek to put this game to bed.
61 min: Bartrip sends the ball in but Roebuck collects. Casparij makes a great run and she puts in a cross but Bartrip cuts out the chance. The resulting corner is cleared by Naz.
59 min: Spurs are trying to find a way through but City’s defence is holding strong so far. City now in possession and they are playing out the back but Spurs win a free kick.
57 min: Hemp makes a great run to pick out Shaw but she fumbles her touch. Spurs just have not got into this yet but Spencer does really well to keep the ball away from Shaw.
55 min: Shaw is staying on, confirmed. Spurs are building from their own half here, they need a goal soon. Neville is fouled by Kelly who earns a yellow card for the challenge.
53 min: Shaw is sitting up and is now walking off unassisted, a great thing to see. Play is back underway and I think Shaw is remaining on.
51 min: This is worrying, Shaw has not moved since she was hit in the face.
49 min: Shaw is the top WSL scorer now with her brace, putting two goals between her and Arsenal’s Beth Mead. Spurs now need to be the next to score if they want to get back into this one. Shaw gets a ball to the face and she is receiving treatment.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-2 Man City (Shaw, 47')
Oh my word! What a strike! It’s a second for Shaw who nabs the ball from Spurs’ defence and she smashes home.
Back underway! Tottenham 0-1 Man City
We are back in action! Can Spurs find a way back into this?
Get in touch and let me know your thoughts on this one or anything you want to chat about! You can reach me on Twitter or email.
I have to apologise to Alex Greenwood as I credited Chloe Kelly with that great cross for Bunny Shaw’s goal! It was pinpoint from the Lioness.
Take a look at the header that sent City ahead:
Breakthrough for Manchester City! ⚽
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) October 22, 2022
Khadija Shaw heads home from the corner just before the break pic.twitter.com/qWXNLqNuc4
Half-time: Tottenham 0-1 Man City
It is only a Bunny Shaw header that separates the sides and City will be frustrated they don’t have more goals after a dominant first half. The headline of the half is the injury to Ellie Brazil, who was stretchered off early doors.
45 + 5 min: Shaw is receiving some treatment but remains on the pitch.
45 + 4 min: This is much better from Spurs but they also give away a free kick for a foul on Shaw. They are building from deep as they pass the ball back to Roebuck.
45 + 2 min: Hemp ends up between Gareth Taylor’s legs after she is ran off the ball. Spurs run it up through Naz but her resulting cross doesn’t find Neville.
45 min: Kelly makes a good run just outside the box but Neville runs her off the ball. Spence wins a free kick at halfway, they work the ball round the box but Neville’s shot is over the bar. There are five minutes added.
43 min: City thoroughly deserve the lead here and they aren’t letting up as they come forward again.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Man City (Shaw, 41')
Kelly sends it in and Shaw heads in! It was coming.
Updated
40 min: Bartrip heads away as City seek an opener and Naz starts the counter but Castellanos wrestles the ball back. Hasagawa has a shot but it sent wide by Spencer, corner to come.
38 min: Neville plays it in but Greenwood clears, this is the best spell of attack from Spurs. Kelly cuts it out though and City recover.
36 min: I can’t say this is the most thrilling game, a goal needs to come to shake it up. Spurs so far have had no shots at all so far!
34 min: Ale defends well as City come forward again, it is a good defensive effort from Spurs but their attack is non existent.
32 min: Neville wins a free kick and Turner pounces on the ball but her run is offside.
30 min: Kelly sends it in but Coombs’ resulting shot sails over the bar. City need to find an opener soon, they have been by far the better team.
28 min: City come through again but Shaw bundles her shot. It comes in again but James defends really well, conceding a corner as she does.
26 min: They go close again with Castellanos and it is a great save from Spencer. They have a corner but it is cleared by Spurs. Tottenham haven’t got a handle on this game at all.
24 min: City are retaining possession, everything is playing into their game plan aside from the goal. Hemp comes so close with the latest attempt but it goes just wide, Spencer was worried there!
Updated
22 min: Kelly pops the ball in but it goes out of play, the England international is the standout player for City so far. Spence cuts the ball out in the midfield but City win it back easily.
19 min: Kelly pops it in but Morgan’s shot goes wide. Kelly puts the ball in shortly after and Bartrip concedes a corner while defending. Kelly sends it in but Spurs clear.
17 min: Possession exchanges hands and it feels as though both teams are still finding their feet. Morgan plays through Shaw but it is defended well by Zadorsky. Hemp wins a free kick in a good position.
15 min: City come forward again and Kelly crosses into the box but Shaw can’t connect with it. Neville is down here but she should be okay, she is redoing her shoelaces.
13 min: Kelly takes a shot but it is blocked, City have the fire at the front but they just need the final pass to come off.
11 min: Neville does nab the ball this time, she passes onto Naz but City intercept. Defence for City is a real worry but they still play out from the back.
9 min: Kelly is played through and she crosses in but Spurs defend well. Neville almost pounces on a loose pass by the City defence, they look sloppy at the back at the moment.
7 min: Brazil is being stretchered off the pitch, so sad and I hope it isn’t as bad as it looks. She is applauded off by the fans and Naz is on, play will get back underway.
4 min: Brazil is in a lot of pain after clashing knees with Roebuck. Neville, James, Zadorsky, Greenwood and Roebuck have all come over to see if she is okay while she receives treatment. Brazil has previously had an ACL injury but we hope she has not picked up another injury. Naz is warming up to come on, such a sad sight especially as this was Brazil’s first WSL for Spurs.
2 min: Spurs have the early upper hand with Neville looking to cross in but the offside flag is up. City counter and Hemp has a header that is easily saved. Spurs is next to strike but Brazil and Roebuck clash and the forward is down. Hopefully she can continue here but that looks painful.
Kick-off! Tottenham 0-0 Man City
Here we go! Can Tottenham get a win over City at their new home ground?
The players will be out shortly and will be ready for this one! Are you excited for this clash? I know I am.
Ashleigh Neville will make her 50th WSL appearance this morning for Tottenham! Overlooked in the England set-up but very much a valued part of Spurs.
A 50th @BarclaysWSL appearance for @AshNev10! 🔥
— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) October 22, 2022
Congrats, Ash! 👏 pic.twitter.com/A1nCevmePC
The big women’s football news of the day is the draw for the World Cup next year. England have been drawn with Denmark, China and a qualifying playoff winner in Group D. Read all about it:
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What a way to start Saturday with a WSL match! Let me know what you are up to today via Twitter or email, I’d love to hear from you.
Man City boss Gareth Taylor is aware of the challenge that his side will face today. He said: “Any team you face in the WSL is a tough challenge. In the games against them previously, whether in cup competition or in the league, they have been fairly tight. We’ve pretty much come out on the right side of the result every time apart from last season here. They’ll always provide a tough opposition for us.”
Tottenham manager Rehanne Skinner has been clear about her objectives in the WSL. She told The Sun she wants the club to be playing in the Champions League which means the side need to finish in the top three. She said: “Ultimately that’s where we want to get to. It’s where a club the size of Tottenham should be. It’s the No 1 ambition. We want to be equal in the things that the men’s team are doing to promote the overall club. It’s really important our ambitions are really high. We’re working incredibly hard behind the scenes to get all of the pieces of the jigsaw together, including evolving the squads over transfer windows.”
Have a listen to our women’s football podcast! The latest edition covers the last round including West Ham Hawa Cissoko’s red card and more:
Updated
The team news is in and Tottenham will be captained by Shelina Zadorsky with player of the moment Ashleigh Neville also lining up for the side.
Tottenham starting XI: Spencer, Turner, Bartrip, Zadorsky, Ale, James, Summanen, Spence, Neville, Bizet, Brazil.
Man City, meanwhile, have a star studded line-up with playmaker Lauren Hemp leading the attack with Bunny Shaw and Chloe Kelly also targeting goals.
Man City starting XI: Roebuck, Casparij, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Morgan, Hasegawa, Castellanos, Coombs, Kelly, Shaw, Hemp.
Preamble
Welcome back to our coverage of the Women’s Super League with a battle between Tottenham and Manchester City!
Both clubs have had mixed starts to the season. Spurs have two wins and a loss to find themselves in seventh and Man City have one win and two losses and are in eighth. It is familiar territory for City who had a bumpy start to the campaign last season but they recovered to finish in the top three. They will be bidding to start to get their season back on track this morning.
Tottenham have only lost to north London rivals Arsenal so far with Ashleigh Neville a standout star for them. If they can beat City today it would be a huge statement in the league.
The team news will be out shortly so stay tuned ahead of kick-off at 11.30am BST.
