Spurs 1-1 Liverpool (WSL) | Robert’s verdict: “We’re taking steps”
Sun 12 November 2023, 19:56|
Tottenham Hotspur
Robert Vilahamn maintained a positive outlook after seeing us hauled back to 1-1 for the second consecutive game in the Women’s Super League on Sunday.
Leading against Liverpool through Celin Bizet’s wonder goal, where she took off from half-way and roamed through the Reds’ defence before firing home from the edge of the box, we allowed the visitors back into the game in the second half at Brisbane Road, Sophie Roman Haug heading home to ensure the spoils were shared.
After a similar outcome against Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton last weekend, Robert said he was again encouraged by the performance of the players in these early stages of our project under his stewardship.
“I think Liverpool is a very good team so it was a tough game, a high-tempo game, we had led 1-0 so of course you want to win the game but if you look at it and how we performed and created chances, I still think it was a good performance by the girls,” he told SPURSPLAY.
“There were a few new players coming in as well so it was a good game and we’re taking steps. Of course, we wanted to win, but the performance was good.
Look at Celin's goal... it’s an amazing goal where she drives with the ball and shoots really well into the corner, so that’s high quality.
“As I said, it was a high-tempo game so when you get chances, you need to take decisions quickly. You focus quite a lot on the press as well so it’s hard to be really sharp in those situations, but look at Celin's goal... it’s an amazing goal where she drives with the ball and shoots really well into the corner, so that’s high quality. The other finishing was close – one was on the crossbar, a few against the goalkeeper as well – so we created chances, we played good football and I’m happy with the girls in that way. We didn’t win but overall, it was a good performance.”
The second half saw Ellie Brazil reintroduced after more than a year out with an ACL injury. An unused substitute against Everton last week, she replaced Bizet in the closing stages as we chased a winner against the Reds.
“It was very good – she’s worked so hard to get back, she’s been on the bench and giving her minutes and actually being a threat in the end... I'm glad to see her on the field and she’s a great footballer as well, so it’s a good step for her,” said Robert.
Unfortunately, as one injury was consigned to the history books, another problem arose as Olga Ahtinen went to ground in stoppage time and had to be carried off on a stretcher. Robert will await an update from our medical staff as to the nature of the injury, but said post-match: “Olga is a player who is adapting to this league and she’s doing good stuff all the time. I just hope it’s not a big injury because she’s a great footballer and a great person.”
We return to WSL action next Sunday at Leicester City (kick-off 3pm UK).
