- Martha Thomas scored the only goal for the hosts after a well-worked move
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Tottenham secured their first ever win in the north London derby this afternoon, denying their local rivals the chance of going top of the table.
A nicely-worked team move which ended up with Martha Thomas netting in the 78th minute ended up being all that was needed to get them over the line, with the hosts putting in a strong defensive effort all afternoon. They worked relentlessly all match to shut out their neighbours from across the way.
By some strange coincidence this fixture took place twice this week. The midweek game was in the Conti Cup (League Cup) which saw Arsenal beat Tottenham to go top of their group, winning won 4-3 on penalties to settle what was a 3-3 draw at full time.
Despite their eventual defeat, the closeness of the tie felt much-needed for Spurs who were coming off the back of two huge defeats in the league – equating to 11-0 on aggregate.
Robert Vilahamn said after that match that he wants his team to ‘play the Tottenham way’, what is looking like an attack-minded, possession-based style of play – reminiscent of the overhaul of cultural identity that Ange Postecoglou is achieving with the men’s team.
Martha Thomas scored the only goal as Spurs earned a maiden North London derby victory
It seemed fitting then that the camera picked out Postecoglou in the stands before kick-off, the Australian manager still on a high after his own side’s victory the previous evening.
And indeed, Spurs came out confidently and compact defensively in the first half, frustrating Arsenal’s forwards as they struggled to break through their well-organised lines.
Arsenal made one change to the team that thumped reigning champions Chelsea last weekend, with Gunners stalwart Kim Little making way for Norway international Frida Maanum.
But Arsenal started cautiously against Spurs, looking nervous to drop points against their close rivals after all the hard work they’d put in the previous week.
Other than a shot from Caitlin Foord which ricocheted off the post in the 17th minute, Arsenal were largely shut out by Tottenham and the two teams went into the break goalless.
At half time Bethany England was replaced by Jessica Naz and the substitution paid off just over ten minutes later. With Celine Bizet marauding down the right flank, Naz pulled three Arsenal defenders with her, freeing up space for Martha Thomas who coolly slotted the ball home.
The Scot has been profilic this season, with her seven goals putting her back to the top of the league’s scorers alongside Brighton’s Elisabeth Terland.
Thomas’s work off the ball was also vital for Tottenham today, running herself ragged as she pressed high and perfectly executing a last-ditch sliding tackle to deny former Manchester United teammate Alessia Russo from shooting.
When the referee announced that there would be 11 minutes of extra time there were collective groans from the Tottenham fans, knowing that Arsenal have managed to win games in less time before.
And while Arsenal threw themselves forward, their shots at goal seemed to find everywhere except for the back of the net.
The hosts managed to hang on and seal a much-deserved victory for a team that are building in confidence under the steady hand of their Swedish manager Vilahamn.
