Breaking down the WSL, with Ben Haines

Ben Haines, club TV presenter and women’s football presenter, will sit down with us ahead of every WSL home game this season to provide his insight on the upcoming fixture and the news around the league.

I know we were all excited to watch Martin’s Spurs, but beyond being easy on the eye stylistically, it’s massive for this group that they have picked up maximum points so far.

We have to start with two very special full debuts so, in fact, let’s break it down into the two games against West Ham and Everton too…

Terrific Tōko

Tōko Koga ensured a clean sheet against West Ham on opening day with a colossal performance. She was calm and assured on the ball, then physically up to the demands of the WSL straight away. Also, massive credit to Clare Hunt alongside her at the heart of defence. The way they defended the box, particularly late on as West Ham looked for an equaliser, was outstanding.

Impressing on full debut

There was so much talk about Everton and how they tore Liverpool apart on the counterattack in the Merseyside derby in their first game, particularly that hat-trick from Ornella Vignola. But it was our very own forward that was the biggest talking point at Goodison Park last weekend.

Cathinka Tandberg made her first start in the WSL and scored one of the goals of the season already with 40-yard stunner. It wasn’t just her finishing but it was her hold-up play, her aggression, she really is going to be one to watch for Spurs fans this season and a nightmare for WSL defenders.

Elsewhere in the WSL

Alongside Spurs, three other teams have gone back-to-back with wins so far. Manchester United leading the way after dismantling London City Lionesses. Chelsea also managed to squeak past Aston Villa without ever really getting out of third gear, most notably on Sunday it was lovely to see Sam Kerr returning from such a long injury lay-off at Villa Park too. Then, finally, Arsenal who really punished West Ham in the second half as they started to tire.

Eyes on the Citizens

Manchester City got their first win of the season last weekend, despite having to grow into the game after an impressive start from Brighton. Two big things to look out for as we return home this weekend under the lights against City. Firstly, Bunny Shaw. She scored a brilliant header to equalise against Brighton and that’s no surprise from her, having scored the most headers in the league last season as well as with 12 goals in total from inside the box.

A return of a familiar face

We will also welcome back a familiar face, Grace Clinton, in what could be her first start for her new club after she completed a move from Manchester United earlier this month. Having spent the 2023/24 season on loan with us, we all know how special a talent Grace can be, and she has gone on to prove that last season with United and the Lionesses. It’ll be brilliant to see her back at Brisbane Road.

As ever, City will be a huge challenge but if this Spurs side continue to show the sort of defensive resilience that has seen them only concede one shot on target so far from the opening two games, we can certainly expect a close one!