Tottenham Hotspur

Eveliina Summanen’s brilliant long-range strike turned out to be the only goal of the match as Tottenham made it 2 wins out of 2 in the Women’s League Cup group stage with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides had won their first group games, and it was the visitors who had the first chance of this match in the 4th minute but Kenza Dali’s effort trickled into debutant Spurs goalkeeper Eleanor Heeps hands.

Martha Thomas was unable to get on the end of Bethany England’s through ball, then England had a long-range shot which was saved by Sabrina D’Angelo as the home side had their first chances.

In the 13th minute, Thomas was again unable to get on the end of a ball forward for the hosts, this time from Jessica Naz.

Katie Robinson dragged a shot wide for Villa in 17th minute.

Tottenham seemed to be using long direct passes often with the next one from Anna Csiki aimed at Naz but the offside flag was up anyway.

The Villans appealed for a penalty after Adriana Leon went down in the area just after the mid-point of the first half but referee Stacey Fullicks waved play on.

Dali’s run down the left side finished with her low cross being deflected onto the roof of the net by a Tottenham defender.  From the resulting corner in the 29th minute, Miri Taylor’s long-range effort clipped the outside of the post.

Thomas saw a shot deflected behind for the hosts in the 37th minute.  Three minutes later, Thomas saw another chance go wide, this time from Amanda Nilden’s cross.

In the 43rd minute, D’Angelo made a stunning save to deny England from close range as Spurs went closest to scoring so far.

Missy Bo Kearns shot from outside the area was easily claimed by the Tottenham goalkeeper, then Ebony Salmon’s strike went over for the visitors as half time approached.

Nilden had the first opportunity of the second half for Spurs in the 48th minute but her effort from the edge of the area following a corner flew over the crossbar.

Leon put the ball in the net for Villa a minute later but the assistant referee’s flag was raised to deny them.

Naz shot well over from 25-yards for the home side in the 58th minute as the rain started to fall heavily again.

Tottenham opened the scoring in the 60th minute when Finland international Summanen scored a spectacular goal from nearly 40-yards that went into the net off the crossbar.

The wind from Storm Bert almost benefited the Villans minutes later but Heeps manged to keep the ball out.

The hosts had the next opportunity but D’Angelo kept Hayley Raso’s attempt out.  The resulting corner was headed onto the roof of the net.   The visitors goalkeeper again denied Raso with just under 20 minutes remaining.

In the 78th minute, Villa went close to equalising from a corner but the chance was blocked before Spurs cleared the ball.  Kirsty Hanson poked the ball wide in the 84th minute after a bit of ping-pong in the Spurs penalty area.

At the other end, England’s strike from 25-yards was saved by D’Angelo.  After quickly breaking forward in the second minute of stoppage time, Matilda Vinberg shot over for the home side as they looked to seal the win.

There were no more chances as Tottenham moved onto 6 points and top of Group E.

Line ups

Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Heeps, Morris, James- Turner, Bartrip, Nilden, Raso (Neville 89’), Summanen, Csiki, Naz (Vinberg 81’), England (c), Thomas

Unused substitutes: Spencer, Talbert, Grant, Hunt, Dennis, Gunning-Williams, Wang

Goal – Summanen 60’

Booked - Nilden

Aston Villa (4-4-1-1): D’Angelo, Maritz, Patten, Turner (Nunes 85’), Pacheco (Tomas 74’), Leon (Hanson 74’), Kearns (c), Taylor, Robinson (Grant 74’), Dali, Salmon (Daly 84’)

Unused substitutes: Poor, Mayling, Staniforth, Nobbs

Referee – Stacey Fullicks

Attendance – 820