Bizet wonder goal cancelled out in WSL draw with Liverpool

Celin Bizet's stunning solo goal was cancelled out by Sophie Roman Haug midway through the second half as Liverpool held us to our second consecutive 1-1 home draw in the Women's Super League on Sunday lunchtime.

Leading in the first half at Brisbane Road, just as we had done against Everton last weekend - this time through a moment of magic from Bizet who dribbled from the half-way line before firing past Rachael Laws from the edge of the box - we suffered a lapse in concentration and allowed Roman Haug to head home and secure a share of the spoils for the visitors.

Both sides had chances to win it but we couldn't quite hit the attacking heights of the previous game against the Reds' Merseyside rivals and while there was a welcome return to action for Ellie Brazil after more than a year on the sidelines, there was fresh concern at the end of the game with midfielder Olga Ahtinen carried off on a stretcher after sustaining an injury.

Robert Vilahamn had already been forced into a change in the middle at the start of the day with Kit Graham coming in for her first league start of the season in place of the injured Drew Spence but amidst a tricky opening spell, it was Ashleigh Neville who was at the centre of most of our noteworthy attacks, the full-back crossing for Angharad James to see her fierce strike deflect behind before herself steering a back-post header just off-target.

Roman Haug volleyed over on the counter for Liverpool before we took the lead in sensational fashion on 27 minutes, Bizet collecting the ball on half-way before running through centrally, drifting right in between defenders before chopping a low shot back across Laws from the edge of the box - a fine goal which got the adulation it deserved from the home crowd. Bizet and Roman Haug were narrowly off-target at either end before another good attempt from the former, her rasping drive from the right angle inside the box deflected onto the crossbar by Jenna Clark.

Graham's sudden left-footed shot from distance cleared Laws but dropped agonisingly onto the roof of the net at the start of the second half, but we were undone in the 66th minute, Roman Haug heading in substitute Yana Daniels' cross from the right after a move that started with Liverpool's keeper.

Jess Naz and Grace Clinton were both denied by good saves from Laws after we won the ball high up the pitch in an effort to respond while striker Brazil was introduced in place of Bizet for her first appearance since October, 2022, following an ACL injury as we sought a late winner. Liverpool, though, were also a threat and Gemma Bonner went close when she fizzed a volley from a diagonal free-kick just wide, while a couple of long-range attempts failed to trouble Becky Spencer in the closing stages, although the end of the game was marred by Ahtinen's injury, the midfielder carried off and replaced by Asmita Ale deep into stoppage time. We wish her well.

Match data

Goals: Spurs - Bizet 27; Liverpool - Roman Haug 66.

Yellow card: Liverpool - Bo Kearns 89.

Referee: Abigail Byrne.

Venue: Brisbane Road.

Weather: Light breeze, nine degrees.

Attendance: 2,155.