Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 West Ham United
Barclays Women’s Super League, The Breyer Group Stadium, Sunday 11 December 2022
West Ham United Women returned to winning way in their final Barclays Women’s Super League match of the calendar year, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 on Sunday afternoon.
After a frustrating first half display, which included Skipper, Dagny Brynjarsdottir drag a penalty wide, second half goals from Brynjarsdottir and an unlikely chip from Hawa Cissoko secured the victory for the Hammers, who climbed up to fifth in the WSL table as a result.
Paul Konchesky elected to make two changes from last weekend’s defeat to Liverpool, with Cissoko and Claudia Walker replacing Izzy Atkinson and Lisa Evans in the starting XI.
A bitterly cold afternoon saw both sides start quickly, but it would be the home side who would have the first opportunity. A diving run from Rosella Ayane almost saw her creep through the Hammers defence, but Kate Longhurst was there to stop the move in its tracks.
With eleven minutes gone, a mistake from Honoka Hayashi allowed Evelina Sumanen to have a go from distance, but her strike sailed over the crossbar.
The home side were starting to gain the upper hand, forcing the West Ham backline further into their own half. Norwegian international, Celin Bizet tested Mackenzie Arnold for the first time, with the goalkeeper having to tip a cross over the bar.
When the Hammers did work their first opening of the match, they couldn’t work a shot away. Viviane Asseyi found Walker inside the area, but the striker couldn’t control the ball, and the chance went begging.
Tottenham continued to probe the Irons goal, and Arnold had to be alert to stop Molly Bartrip’s corner going into the back of the net, but the Australian did well to clear the ball away.
After a spell where chances were at a premium, the Hammers were given the chance to take the lead after Harrop fouled Longhurst just inside the area.
Brynjarsdottir stepped up to take the spot kick, but she couldn’t hit the target, and the two sides went in level at the break.
At the break, Konchesky introduced Lisa Evans from the bench, and the change immediately brought intent to the Irons’ play. After a driving run from Evans, a loose ball fell to Brynjarsdottir who made no mistake, firing a fierce shot beyond Becky Spencer.
Konchesky’s side looked to add a second and went close when Kirsty Smith’s speculative effort from distance. Tottenham, meanwhile, brought on Ashleigh Neville and Nikola Karczewska to try and find a way back into the match.
As the game was heading towards its conclusion, an unlikely source would add their second of the contest. Defender, Cissoko found herself leading the counter charge having been played through by her compatriot, Viviane Asseyi.
The 25-year-old bore down on Spencer, before audaciously dinking the ball over the former West Ham United goalkeeper to seal the victory and move the Hammers up to fifth in the table.
West Ham United: Arnold, Shimizu Fisk, Cissoko, Longhurst, Smith, Stringer (Houssein 90), Hayashi (Evans 46) Brynjarsdottir, Walker (Kyvåg 81), Asseyi
Subs not used: Hillyerd (GK), Atkinson, Filis, Flannery
Goals: Brynjarsdottir 48, Cissoko 84
Booked: Fisk 31, Stringer 83, Longhurst 89
Tottenham Hotspur: Spencer, Zardorsky, Bartrip (Ale 87), Harrop (Neville 53), Cho (James 77), Bizet, Ubogagu (Naz 77), Ayane (Karczewska 53), Spence, Sumanen.
Subs not used: Korpela (GK), Pearse
Referee: Richie Watkins
