FROM BRISBANE ROAD – Tottenham Hotspur were forced to take matters back into their own hands on Monday night as West Ham crashed out of this year’s League Cup with a 2-1 win.
The Hammers will now face Women’s Super League (WSL) leaders Chelsea in the semi-finals of the tournament on February 5.
Striker Martha Thomas’ early goal in the first ten minutes helped Spurs find their rhythm at the start of the first half.
Central defender Clare Hunt was instrumental on several occasions in channeling the ball across West Ham’s midfield into the feet of Spurs’ front line of attack.
Notable chances included Thomas and Hayley Raso hitting the woodwork twice, as well as Bethany England’s countless attempts being stopped by Hammers goalkeeper Megan Walsh.
However, things quickly turned sour when Seraina Piubel shot past Eleanor Heeps from Emma Harries’ cross five minutes from the end of the first half.
West Ham’s equalizer was enough to collapse Spurs’ defense. Molly Bartip continued to lose to Piuebel. However, it was a set-piece that left Spurs trailing 2-1 a minute before half-time.
Kirsty Smith’s ball into the box seemingly went unnoticed and slipped into the right corner of the net, startling Heeps.
The second half was uneventful. Spurs failed to intensify their efforts as West Ham defended their lead.
It was England who had the most promising shot on goal, but their momentum was well parried by Walsh. As the game entered its final minutes, it was clear that Spurs had accepted defeat.
Rehanne Skinner will certainly be pleased with her side’s performance as they prepare to face each other in the third League Cup semi-final in their history.
player | Evaluation |
|---|---|
GK: Eleanor Heeps | 6/10 |
RB: Ashleigh Neville | 6/10 |
CB: Clare Hunt | 8/10 |
CB: Molly Bartip | 6/10 |
LB: Amanda Nilden | 7/10 |
CM: Martha Thomas | 8/10 |
CM: Maite Oroz | 7/10 |
RM: Hayley Raso | 7/10 |
AM: Drew Spence | 6/10 |
LM: Jess Naz | 7/10 |
ST: Bethany England (c) | 7/10 |
Substitute: Lenna Gunning Williams (45′ for Naz) | 8/10 |
Substitute: Anna Csiki (45′ for Spence) | 6/10 |
SUB: Charli Grant (45′ for Nilden) | 7/10 |
Substitute: Olga Ahtinen (45th minute for Oroz) | 7/10 |
Substitute: Matilda Vinberg (40′ for Raso) | N/A |
Substitutes not used: Becky Spencer (TW), Launa Buhler, Rosella Ayane
player | Evaluation |
|---|---|
GK: Megan Walsh | 8/10 |
CB: Shannon Cooke | 6/10 |
CB: Camila Saez | 7/10 |
LB: Kirsty Smith | 7/10 |
RM: Li Mengwen | 6/10 |
CM: Oona Siren | 6/10 |
CM: Shekiera Martinez | 6/10 |
LM: Manuela Pavi | 7/10 |
RM: Seraina Piubel | 8/10 |
AM: Marika Bergman-Lundin | 6/10 |
ST: Emma Harrys | 7/10 |
Substitute: Anouk Denton (64′ for Li) | 7/10 |
Substitute: Katrina Gorry (64′ for Siren) | 7/10 |
Substitute: Viviane Asseyi (64′ for Piubel) | 6/10 |
Substitute player: Amber Tysiak (86th minute for Pavi) | N/A |
Substitute: Riko Ueki (96′ for Harries) | N/A |
Substitutes not used: Kinga Szemik (TW), Dagnny Brynjarsdottir, Shelina Zadorsky, Halle Houssein