Enderby brace earns Liverpool first WSL win this season

Tottenham Hotspur Women travel to St Helens for a must-win Barclays Women’s Super League clash against Liverpool FC.

While Spurs stand in fourth place in the WSL with 23 points, a win could take them level once again with North London rivals, Arsenal. They aim to chase the Gunners as they battle for their first ever qualification place for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

At the other end of the table, Liverpool still remain winless in the league this season, with only four points to their name. With six new signings since the New Year, Gareth Taylor’s side seek their first three points and aim to gradually edge out of the relegation zone.

Starting XIs

Tottenham Hotspur: Kop (gk), A. Nildén, Hunt, Koga, Rybrink, Summanen, Spence, Hamano, Holdt, Gaupset, England ©

Substitites: Heeps, Bartip, Wijk, Blakstad, Vinberg, Ahtinen, M. Nildén, Gunning-Williams, Tandberg.

Liverpool: Falk (gk), Shimizu, Fisk ©, Clark, Woodham, Nagano, O’Sullivan, Kapocs, Bargström, Csillag, Holland.

Substitutes: Kirby, Parry, Evans, Enderby, Lundgaard, Maclean, Bonner, Bernabe, Trueman.  

Maika Hamano moves into the starting lineup for Spurs over Swedish winger, Matilda Vinberg. Cathinka Tandberg returns to the matchday squad following a spell on the sidelines since late last year. Other new signings: Julie Blakstad, Matilda Nildén and Hanna Wijk are named on the bench.

For the Reds, Aurélie Csillag makes her debut alongside a WSL debut for Denise O’Sullivan. They are without new loanee, Martha Thomas, who is ineligible to play against her affiliated club, and Anna Jøsendal is not yet in contention to make her debut.

First half

Liverpool start the first half brightly coming close to a goal in the second minute. New signing, Csillag slots the ball to teammate, Alice Bergström, whose effort bounces off the crossbar.

Moments later, another effort from Csillag is saved by Lize Kop. The German forward shows immediate signs of making an impact to Taylor’s side, as she threatens the goal once again with her fast-paced one v one runs getting the better of Josefine Rybrink.

On the counterattack, Spurs look promising with some linkup play between Drew Spence and Signe Gaupset. The Norwegian youngster slots the ball across goal to Chelsea loanee, Hamano who leaves it in a miscommunication with midfield partner, Eveliina Summanen.

Csillag continues to cause problems as she links up with Ceri Holland on the left flank. On the right-hand side, Nildén gets the better defensively of Bergström in her attempt to speed past the Swedish fullback.

A calm piece of defending sees Tõko Koga wrong foot O’Sullivan, who presses high on Tottenham’s backline. From the centre back the ball is worked up the pitch, with Bethany England and Summanen coordinating the drive. However, the attack is broken up by Liverpool Captain, Grace Fisk.

Ahead of the halftime whistle, Bergström threatens once again with a low cross scrambled to the hands of Kop. Despite intensity and dominance on and off the ball from the Reds, neither team breaks the deadlock at the break.

First half: Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Second half

Once again Liverpool start the second half with a spark in attack. Holland sends the ball forward to Csillag’s feet, whose attempt at goal is deflected by Nildén for a corner. England and Hunt scramble in the box to head away any danger. Olivia Holdt sprints forward with an intelligent ball for Gaupset to run onto. The Norwegian forward comes close, with Jennifer Falk winning the one v one goalscoring opportunity.

Gaupset is now beginning to assert herself into the game, driving forward. However, she is surrounded by a sea of red defenders who manage to clear the ball. Some well worked team play presses up the pitch with Clare Hunt lopping a cross into the box. England is unable to connect with the ball from close range, with Hamano firing it over the bar.

Csillag wins the ball from Drew Spence and drives into space, slipping the ball to Cornelia Kapocs. Bergström receives the ball but once again cannot find the target. Liverpool come close once again as momentum shifts towards the hosts. 

Blakstad is warming up in preparation for her first away fixture in a Spurs shirt. The fullback makes her way in the place of Amanda Nildén. Vinberg’s introduction also comes in the 63rd minute as she replaces Hamano.

Holland threatens on the left flank once more, with her cross pushing across goal and inches away from Kapocs tap in. Spence does enough to put the forward off as the ball goes out of play.

Alejandra Bernabe is the Reds’ first substitute, replacing Welsh fullback, Lily Woodham. Liverpool take several shots in the space of a few minutes. A determined save by Kop keeps O’Sullivan’s effort out. Followed by assured defending to prevent the Reds from another attempt at goal.

The first yellow card of the game is given to O’Sullivan on debut as a mistimed challenge takes a knock to Summanen. With twenty minutes remaining, Tandberg makes her return to the pitch with her Norwegian teammate, Gaupset departing.

On the counterattack, Vinberg picks out England who heads it just wide of the post. A close effort from the Tottenham Captain with only ten minutes to go.

Taylor brings Mia Enderby on with debutant Csillag leaving the pitch after a promising first outing in Red. Holland then receives a yellow card from an aggressive challenge on Vinberg. Spence also goes in the box after contesting for the ball late. With five minutes remaining, Ho brings on Olga Ahtinen and M. Nildén to add to the attack. England and Holdt leave the pitch.

In added time the Reds almost break the deadlock. Holland launches a cross to the far post where Bergström is lurking. Her effort hits the post and heads out for a goal kick.

Liverpool score at the death with substitute, Enderby slotting the ball past Kop minutes into her introduction. A minute later, Summanen slips with Enderby driving forward and getting a brace within two minutes of added time.

The whistle blows and the final scores is 2-0. Taylor finally earns his first WSL win of the season with Liverpool.

Full time: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

All to play for in the WSL

Up to seven points, Liverpool now believe they can overcome the bottom place. Fears of twelfth place now surround several teams: West Ham United, Everton, and Leicester City must all fight to survive in the league.

In the top half of the table, heading home with no extra points on the board is an obstacle in Spurs’ fight for top three. However, the race is still on and the Lilywhite’s must change momentum as they prepare to face the Hammers next weekend.

Liverpool face Manchester United away next weekend, whilst Spurs travel to West Ham.