Tottenham Hotspur cruise into top three with narrow win over the Seagulls

Tottenham Hotspur Women cruised to a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion Women at Brisbane Road in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

A superb strike from summer signing, Cathinka Tandberg in the 26th minute proved decisive, as she fired home from close range. The visitors pushed for an equaliser before half-time, but Brighton’s defence held firm.

Tottenham, who have now won four of their last five matches, continued their strong start to the season — a remarkable improvement after securing just five league wins in the entirety of last term.

Going into the game, Spurs sat fourth in the WSL table, while Brighton were sixth, both sides having shown a mixed bag of results so far. Each team had won twelve matches overall and drawn five, reflecting their evenly matched campaigns. 

Tottenham were looking to bounce back after a 1-0 defeat to Brighton in their previous league meeting, while the visitors aimed to maintain momentum following a narrow win over Everton at Broadfield Stadium.

Stance against racism

Tottenham players and staff wore ‘Spurs Against Racism’ t-shirts during the warmup to mark the start of Black History Month. This was also a stance in support of defender, Jessica Naz, who was subjected to online racial abuse last month.

The club did not take the knee before kick-off. In a statement via the club’s Instagram, the Captain, Bethany England explained this decision:

"As players, we have chosen not to take the knee before kick-off this afternoon. Instead, we will stand up against racism… I have spoken to my team-mates at length, and we agree that taking the knee no longer feels meaningful. We are still seeing prejudice and racism, and there is so much more that everyone should be doing."

First Half 

Tottenham started brightly, showing strong defensive organisation and intent going forward. The Lilywhites enjoyed most of the early possession, limiting Brighton to few chances.

A foul on Michelle Agyemang gave Brighton an early free-kick, but Tottenham’s back line — marshalled by young centre-back Toko Koga — dealt with the threat well. 

Spurs created several early openings, with Amanda Nildèn going close before Drew Spence’s low shot in the 11th minute was saved by Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. 

Naz continued to look sharp, her shot later blocked after a promising run down the flank.

Tottenham kept the pressure on, firing over the bar around the 16th minute, before forcing another save from Nnadozie shortly after. 

Controversy arose early on when new defender, Koga appeared to handle the ball in her box, but the referee waved away Brighton’s appeals for a penalty. Brighton manager, Dario Vidošić believed his team were denied two clear penalties, citing inconsistencies in officiating as a frustration point.

At the other end, Brighton came close when Agyemang forced Spurs keeper Lize Kop into a good save in the 19th minute. The Seagulls were caught offside soon after, before another strike was comfortably handled by Kop. 

Tottenham continued to dominate possession — around 60% to Brighton’s 39% — with four shots to Brighton’s two in the first half-hour. 

Their persistence paid off in the 26th minute, when Tandberg opened the scoring. She latched onto a sharp pass from Naz and fired low into the net to make it 1–0 to Spurs.

By the 31st minute, Spurs were in full control, creating more chances out wide and forcing Brighton onto the back foot. Brighton’s frustration showed when they conceded a foul in the 34th minute, earning a yellow card and giving Spurs a dangerous free kick that just went over.

Brighton won a late corner before the break, but it was well claimed by Kop. 

Spurs went into half-time leading 1–0 after an impressive first-half performance, defined by attacking intent and defensive stability.

Second Half 

Spurs came out after the break looking to extend their lead, while Brighton struggled to find rhythm and create a clear route back into the game.

An early chance for Tottenham saw a shot hit the side netting from a corner in the 47th minute, before Tandberg — already on the scoresheet — fired narrowly wide moments later.

Brighton earned a free kick following a foul on Agyemang, but they were unable to capitalise. 

Both teams looked to inject more pace and momentum into their play, though the match briefly settled as they struggled to find fluidity.

In the 56th minute, Spurs went close again with a right-footed effort that brushed the side netting, and shortly after, Bethany England forced a strong save from Nnadozie.

Tottenham continued to capitalise on defensive errors, pushing forward with intent.

Brighton responded with a chance of their own from out wide before Naz was fouled as she broke through midfield. A period of scrappy play followed, with Brighton coming close in the 61st minute during a goalmouth scramble that ultimately came to nothing.

Brighton then began to threaten, winning a free kick inside the box, but Kop saved comfortably. The visitors continued to press, firing another effort wide as they searched for an equaliser.

As the match entered its final stages, both sides exchanged chances. Spurs forced a save before Brighton came close again in the 74th minute. 

Tottenham nearly doubled their lead in the 80th minute, but a close-range shot was well saved. Moments later, Brighton’s long-range effort drifted wide of the post.

In the 81st minute, Brighton missed another opportunity to equalise. 

A reckless foul by Brighton handed Spurs another free kick late on, but they couldn’t break through the defence. Tottenham finished the stronger of the two sides, blocking Brighton’s last few attempts and holding firm through three minutes of added time.

Brighton edged the second-half possession with 57% to Spurs’ 47%, but Tottenham proved more efficient overall — recording 11 shots to Brighton’s 7 — and managed the game well to secure the victory.

For her outstanding performance and assist, Naz was named Player of the Match.

Post-match interviews

Tottenham Hotspur head coach, Martin Ho spoke on his expectations and the team’s mentality this season after another three points in the bank for his side:

“Yeah, good. I think I demand a lot. You see that from the side of them physically, defensively — I demand a lot because I know we can turn around a game. We’re in a really good place, and we still have lots to go — not even half the potential we’ve got. We made sure to control the ball in the first and second half, defended really well, and limited their chances — only two shots on target. Some big moments for the defence and backline with blocks and interceptions, really impressive.”

Midfielder, Eveliina Summanen reflected on the team’s performance and the confidence in this promising side:

“Yeah, of course. Really happy with the win — it’s so good for us, for our confidence, and especially in front of our home fans here. I’m really happy today.”

On the importance of the result for the team going forward, she expressed:

“Yeah, of course it’s important. Playing at home, we want to be our best, and we’re showing that at the moment. In the first half, we were strong on the ball and defensively tough, not allowing them to score — that’s really important.”

On the other hand, the Seagull’s manager, Vidošić analysed why the team struggled to retain something from the match:

“In the second half, we were a lot more resilient. We probably gave up the half-space for Jess [Naz] to attack — she played a good ball — and we didn’t deal with Tandberg in the middle, and we know she’s a clinical striker. But in the second half, we were much better, able to sustain attacks longer, play inside their box, though the final shot or pass was a little lacking today. Still, lots of positives against a team full of confidence that started the season well.”

However, he took several positives from the fixtures and looks ahead to a new week:

“We just need to learn from it. Today we tried something different, pressing man-to-man and pressing with Naz while jumping on their fullbacks. We knew the 2v1 was there, didn’t execute it well in the first half, but in the second half we got a bit more joy, broke their pressure, and got easier access in their half. It’s a good learning point for the team — we’ll take that forward into the next match.”

The next challenge

Both teams look to the WSL, with Brighton facing an away trip against European Champions, Arsenal on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium. While Spurs look to maintain their winning streak on the same day away at Chelsea. 

The Seagulls will see an opportunity to steal points from Renée Slegers Arsenal side, with a recent dip in form. Whereas for Ho’s side they face a tough opposition in title holders, Chelsea.