Manchester City extended their unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League to 12 wins in a row with a 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. This matches the current all-time record held by Arsenal in 2018 for best run in a single season.
How the teams lined up
Tottenham Hotspur: Spencer; Zardorsky (c), Dean (Naz 79′) Williams (Ayane 67′) Cho (Green 67′) Worm (Harrop 46′) Graham, Kennedy, Quinn (Addison 67′) McManus and E. Morgan.
Unused Substitutes: Mikalsen; Davidson, Peplow and Godfrey.
Manchester City: Roebuck; Stanway, Dahlkemper, Mannion, Morgan, Walsh, Mewis (Coombs 63′) Weir, Kelly (Hemp 81′) Beckie and White (c) (Lavelle 63′)
Unused Substitutes: Taieb, Keating, Park and Davies.
As it happened
Manchester City piled on the pressure from the blow of the referees whistle, having a few attempts at goal in the opening stages. City won themselves a corner in which was played in by Chloe Kelly, and resulted in an early goal for the visitors. A header from the center of the goal by Canadian international Janine Beckie.
Gareth Taylor’s side continued to dominate possession and keep in control as Spurs began to grow into the match. Tottenham seemed to have found their foot-hold in the game and troubled City’s backline on numerous occasions after resorting to the high-press approach.
Spurs committed players forward and unfortunately left their defense exposed in which Manchester City punished them. A ball played over the top by Sam Mewis drops perfectly for her team-mate Janine Beckie who curled her effort beyond Spencer for her second of the afternoon.
Second half
Tottenham made one change at half-time as Kerrys Harrop replaced fellow defender Siri Worm. City picked up just where they left prior to the break and put Spurs under some early pressure. Earning themselves two corners in quick succession, one of the efforts from inside the box was cleared off the line.
Rebecca Skinner’s side built up some momentum and enjoyed a spell of possession as Dean closed down Roebuck which allowed her team-mates to pick up the lose ball and try to work an opening for an attempt at goal. Ellen White conceded a free-kick in the middle of field, giving a chance for the opposition players to make their way forward into the box but was unable to trouble City’s defense.
Just after the hour-mark, Scotland international Caroline Weir put her side 3-0 up at the Hive. A simple enough finish in the end after Chloe Kelly who picked her out from a cross field ball.
The game ended 3-0 to Manchester City on a sunny Easter weekend at the Hive.
Player of the Match
Canadian international Janine Beckie started her second consecutive match after scoring midweek against Barcelona. After setting her team on their way to a victory in the opening five minutes she then went on to score her second before half-time. She has troubled Spurs defense all afternoon creating runs in behind and delivering crosses into the box. She also kept switching flanks with team-mate Kelly to confuse Spurs and offer more threat.
Beckie spoke during City’s post-match conference on how it felt to be on the scoresheet after not starting as many games recently.
“Its difficult to get on the pitch as a winger with the form Chloe [Kelly] and Lauren [Hemp] are in. Its my job as a team-mate to make everyone better. Gaz [Gareth Taylor] gave me an opportunity against Barcelona and I took advantage of that, he’s the kind of coach that recognises good play and when someone should continue to stay on the team-sheet. I was proud of my performance today.”
50 and counting
Manchester City’s Ellen White made her 50th appearance for the club this afternoon against Tottenham Hotspur after signing in May 2019. During her 50 appearances, she has scored a total of 19 goals and seven assists. She is currently second in terms of City’s top scorers this season, behind Sam Mewis.
During the post-match conference, Gareth Taylor shared his overall thought’s on the game and the girls performances. “Tough game, Tottenham came out and pressed us so we had to be bright with our build up play. We built through the thirds very well and ended up with chances at goal. I thought in the first half we was good in our build up play but a little bit wasteful in attack and let Tottenham of the hook, so our decision making needs to improve. Overall we have to be really happy with the win and the three points.”
Manchester City are next in action in the FA Cup against Aston Villa after the international break on Sunday, 18 April.
