Gaupset orchestrates Spurs’ passage into the hat for the next round

Tottenham Hotspur Women secured their place in the fifth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup with a 3-0 victory over Leicester City Women at Brisbane Road on Sunday afternoon, played in front of an attendance of 1,062.

In a contest that was competitive in its early stages, Signe Gaupset proved decisive, producing two moments of quality that swung the tie firmly in Spurs’ favour. Goals from captain Bethany England, Drew Spence and Lenna Gunning-Williams ensured a comfortable passage into the next round for Martin Ho’s side.

Team News

Spurs lined up with Lize Kop in goal, supported by A. Nildén, Signe Gaupset, Bethany England ©, Olivia Holdt, Josefine Rybrink, Matilda Vinberg, Hunt, Maika Hamano, Eveliina Summanen and Tõko Koga. Unused substitutes were Heeps, Jackson, Bartrip, and Dennis.

Leicester City started with Janina Leitzig, alongside Kees, Tierney, Noémie Mouchon, Ashmita Ale, Sarah Mayling, Olivia McLoughlin, Shannon O’Brien, Ashleigh Neville, Chantelle Swaby, and Rosella Ayane. Payne, Eiríksdóttir, Goodwin and Clark were unused substitutes.

First Half

Leicester began the match brightly and created several encouraging opportunities in the opening quarter-hour. Mouchon posed the visitors’ biggest threat for the visitors, forcing Kop into a low save from the right side of the area, while Shannon O’Brien narrowly missed the far post after being played through by former Spur, Ayane. O’Brien later pressed Kop aggressively, but the Spurs goalkeeper recovered well to clear the danger as the ball rolled loose in the area.  

Tottenham also showed attacking intent early on. Hamano, making her first start for the club, headed straight at Leitzig, while England volleyed over the bar at the back post following a Hamano corner.

The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute and came through Gaupset’s individual brilliance. The midfielder drove infield from the left, beating three Leicester players before unleashing a low strike from 20 yards. Leitzig parried the effort, but England reacted sharply to slot home the rebound from a tight angle and give Spurs the lead.

The goal shifted momentum decisively in Tottenham’s favour. Gaupset became increasingly influential in midfield, dictating play and driving Spurs forward, although the hosts were unable to extend their advantage before the interval.

Second Half

Leicester attempted to respond after the break, introducing Hannah Cain and Rachel Williams, the latter making her first appearance for the Foxes since returning to the club. Cain tested Kop with a long-range effort, while Williams fired over the bar from outside the area.  

Spurs, however, doubled their advantage in the 74th minute, once again with Gaupset at the heart of the move. Winning possession high up the pitch, she surged down the left channel and cut the ball back from the byline. Drew Spence arrived on the edge of the box and guided her shot through Leitzig’s hands and into the net.

Tottenham continued to control the game in the closing stages and added a third goal in stoppage time. Debutant Matilda Nildén powered into the box and forced a save from Leitzig, but substitute Lenna Gunning-Williams reacted quickest to turn home the rebound, scoring her first goal in Lilywhite since November 2022 and sealing the victory.

Post-Match Reaction

Reflecting on the performance, Tottenham head coach Martin Ho expressed overall satisfaction while acknowledging areas for improvement. 

“For the most part, I was happy with it. There were a few moments in transition where we made small technical mistakes, but overall, we were excellent on the ball and very effective in midfield.”

Ho also praised Gaupset’s rapid adaptation to the Women’s Super League:

She was excellent again. She’s probably only at 30-40 percent fitness after coming off an off-season, but she’s already showing what she can do. There’s a lot more to come from her”.

What It Means

The victory marked Tottenham Hotspur Women’s tenth win of the season and a perfect start to their FA Cup campaign, as they advanced comfortably into the fifth round. They will face London City Lionesses away on the weekend of February 20th, where they hope to progress one step further in the competition.

Leicester City exit the competition at the first hurdle despite a positive start, with missed early chances ultimately proving costly at Brisbane Road.