Spurs Women suffered a first home defeat in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League (WSL) on Sunday afternoon, losing 3-0 to Manchester United at The Hive.
An early strike from Kirsty Hanson gave the visitors the lead, before an own goal from Ashleigh Neville doubled their advantage early in the second half. We went close from long range a handful of times as the game went on but shortly after the Red Devils were reduced to 10 players when Lauren James picked up a second yellow card, substitute Jane Ross finished off the scoring in added time.
Head Coaches Karen Hills and Juan Amoros made one change to the side who were victorious against West Ham at the London Stadium in our last run-out as Neville started ahead of Siri Worm at left-back.
The opening goal from our former FA Women’s Championship rivals came after 12 minutes – Jackie Groenen’s shot inside the area was blocked by Anna Filbey, before Hanson’s follow up was deflected in past Becky Spencer. We had two good chances following United’s goal with Rianna Dean coming close with a half-volley, then a free-kick from Chloe Peplow was fired inches over the crossbar.
The Red Devils made it 2-0 shortly after the break as Leah Galton’s drilled cross into the box was turned into the back of her own net by the sliding Neville.
Rosella Ayane, Kit Graham and Rachel Furness all saw their efforts from long range go close - Ayane and Furness notably forcing United goalkeeper Mary Earps to back-pedal and tip over the bar - but it wasn’t enough to get us back into the game. At the other end of the pitch, Spencer made a superb one-on-one block from Groenen following a fluid United attack, with Filbey getting back to clear off the line as the loose ball spun towards the net.
Hills and Amoros changed the team's shape in the last 10 minutes, bringing Megan Wynne into midfield for her WSL bow, and United were reduced to 10 players in the last minute of normal time when James was shown a second yellow card and subsequent red. But they still managed to find a third goal in the first minute of stoppage time as Ross' effort from inside the box rolled in, despite the best efforts of defender Hannah Godfrey to keep it out. Furness' subsequent swirling shot hit the post from 35 yards, but the points were United's.
Head Coach Juan Amoros said: "It was a tough encounter for both sides. I think both teams played well but I think we should have been more clinical with our chances – we need to do better and improve for our next game. We’ve had a lot of praise for our defence in recent games and I think we put in a good performance, but we fell short. For the first goal, we could have cleared the ball a couple of times in the build-up and then the second goal came from a cross which we should have prevented coming in before. The third goal was a really sloppy goal to concede after they’ve gone down to 10 players. There are plenty of lessons to learn from today and we will go away and analyse and prepare for the next game."
