Rianna Dean fired Spurs Ladies to a 1-0 win, as they returned to winning ways against Crystal Palace in the FA Women’s Championship on Sunday, writes Rosie Bonass.
A first-half strike from Dean was enough to secure three points for Spurs, who recovered from two consecutive defeats against Durham Women and London Bees.
The win in the London derby at Cheshunt means that Spurs finish the year in fourth place, now just one point behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand over Charlton Athletic and Durham, who sit in second and third place, leaving the title race wide open heading into 2019.
Karen Hills stuck with the team which played against Durham in the last league game as Chloe Morgan returned to the starting line-up to register another clean sheet, after she missed the midweek Continental Tyres Cup game against London Bees through suspension.
Spurs made a bright start and should have been in front within two minutes after Angela Addison, who was celebrating her birthday, squared the ball to Dean after she carried it past Palace goalkeeper Shanell Salgado, but a last-ditch tackle from Anneka Nuttall prevented the in-form striker from pulling the trigger.
The Lilywhites had the ball in the back of the net in the 15th minute through Dean, only for it to be ruled off-side. It followed some excellent work in the build-up from left-back Ashleigh Neville, who had her attempt blocked before poking the rebound through to Dean.
However, Dean came up with the goods once more for Spurs, as she has done on countless occasions this season, after she broke the deadlock in the 26th minute. The goal to give Spurs a deserved lead – and her 11th of the season – was set up nicely by Neville, who flicked the ball forward with the outside of her boot, before Dean slotted it home confidently on her left foot.
I thought the pass today from Ashleigh was outstanding to get (Rianna) into a position where she had the chance to go on and score.
The Lilywhites should have doubled their lead through Addison moments before half-time, but Salgado made a fine save to deny the birthday girl a goal.
After the break, Sarah Wiltshire curled in a delightful ball from the right wing to Dean, who couldn’t manage to get her attempt on target on this occasion, with the ball going over the crossbar. The narrow lead left the hosts in a nervous position going into the final stages of the match and Morgan was forced to make a brave block to deny Chloe Burr late on as Spurs held out for the win.
Match reaction
“We told the girls that we were looking for a reaction. Ultimately I thought we were very good today,” manager Hills said.
“We could have scored a few more goals and we had a lot of opportunities but credit to Palace, they stuck with it and made a game of it and it went all the way to the wire. We got the win and that’s the main thing.”
Hills went on to applaud Dean and Neville for their vital contribution to the win.
“Rianna (Dean) has done well for the team and I thought the pass today from Ashleigh (Neville) was outstanding to get her into a position where she had the chance to go on and score, and she took the goal with her left foot which is always nice to see,” she continued.
“We needed that win today to put us into a good position and give us momentum. There’s a nice feeling going into Wednesday’s game (against Chelsea at Cheshunt) and we’re confident in our own ability – who knows what can happen on the day?”
