FROM BRISBANE ROAD – Tottenham Hotspur were left hanging on Monday night as West Ham's 2-1 win knocked them out of this year's League Cup.
Now they face the Hammers Women's Super League leaders (WSL). Chelsea in the semifinal stage of the tournament on February 5.
Striker Martha Thomas' early goal in the first ten minutes helped Spurs find their rhythm as the first half began.
Center back Clare Hunt was instrumental on many occasions feeding the ball to the top of West Ham's midfield at the feet of Spurs' attacking front line.
Notable chances included Thomas and Hayley Raso hitting the woodwork twice, as well as countless Bethany England efforts being stopped in their tracks by Hammers goalkeeper Megan Walsh.
However, things quickly turned sour when Seraina Piubel headed one past Eleanor Heeps five minutes before the end of the first half, following a cross from Emma Harries.
West Ham's equalizer was all it took for the Spurs back line to crumble. Molly Bartip continued to lose to Piuebel. However, it was a determined strike that left Spurs 2-1 behind a minute before half-time.
Kirsty Smith's ball into the box apparently went unnoticed and slid into the right corner of the net, leaving Heeps by surprise.
The second half passed with little action. Spurs failed to step up their efforts as West Ham defended their lead.
It was England with the most promising shot at goal, but her sweeping effort was well saved by Walsh. As the game entered its final minutes, it was clear that Spurs had accepted defeat.
Rehanne Skinner will certainly be pleased with her side's performance as they prepare to battle it out in a third League Cup semi-final in their history.
|
Player |
ASSESSMENT |
|---|---|
|
GK: Eleanor Heeps |
6/10 |
|
RB: Ashleigh Neville |
6/10 |
|
CB: Clare Hunt |
8/10 |
|
CB: Molly Bartip |
6/10 |
|
LB: Amanda Nilden |
7/10 |
|
CM: Martha Thomas |
8/10 |
|
CM: Love everything |
7/10 |
|
RM: Hayley Raso |
7/10 |
|
AM: Drew Spence |
6/10 |
|
LM: Jess Naz |
7/10 |
|
ST: Bethany England (c) |
7/10 |
|
SUB: Lenna Gunning Williams (45' for Naz) |
8/10 |
|
SUB: Anna Csiki (45' for Spence) |
6/10 |
|
SUB: Charli Grant (45' for Nilden) |
7/10 |
|
SUB: Olga Ahtinen (45' for Oroz) |
7/10 |
|
SUB: Matilda Vinberg (40' for Raso) |
N/A |
Subs Not Used: Becky Spencer (GK), Launa Buhler, Rosella Ayane
|
Player |
ASSESSMENT |
|---|---|
|
GK: Megan Walsh |
8/10 |
|
CB: Shannon Cooke |
6/10 |
|
CB: Camila Saez |
7/10 |
|
LB: Kirsty Smith |
7/10 |
|
RM: Li Mengwen |
6/10 |
|
CM: That mermaid |
6/10 |
|
CM: Shekiera Martinez |
6/10 |
|
LM: Manuela Pavi |
7/10 |
|
RM: Seraina Piubel |
8/10 |
|
AM: Marika Bergman-Lundin |
6/10 |
|
ST: Emma Harries |
7/10 |
|
SUB: Anouk Denton (64' for Li) |
7/10 |
|
SUB: Katrina Gorry (64' for Siren) |
7/10 |
|
SUB: Viviane Asseyi (64' for Piubel) |
6/10 |
|
SUB: Amber Tysiak (86' for Pavi) |
N/A |
|
SUB: Riko Ueki (96' for Harries) |
N/A |
Unused subjects: Kinga Szemik (GK), Dagnny Brynjarsdottir, Shelina Zadorsky, Halle Houssein