Brilliant Gaupset helps Women to FA Cup fifth round

Two moments of brilliance from Signe Gaupset helped us overcome Leicester City 3-0 to book our place in the fifth round of the Women's FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.

A recent arrival from SK Brann, the midfielder was at her creative best against the Foxes, producing two pieces of magic to unlock the visitors' defence in an initially tight contest at Brisbane Road.

Making her mark on 24 minutes, our number eight first weaved delightfully past three Leicester players before driving into a shooting position. Frustratingly, her effort from 20 yards couldn't quite beat Foxes goalkeeper Janina Leitzig, who produced the save, but Bethany England was alive to the loose ball and pounced to break the deadlock.

With 74 minutes on the clock, Gaupset was at it again, this time winning the ball high up before charging down the left channel and into the box. Once at the byline, she looked up to spot Drew Spence on the edge of the area, and the midfielder did the rest, forcing the ball through Leitzig and in.

We then wrapped up the victory in added time as debutant Matilda Nilden's parried effort fell to the feet of Lenna Gunning-Williams to roll home - her first goal in Lilywhite since November, 2022 - and see us comfortably into round five.

Then victory was our 10th of the season under Martin Ho so far and got us off to the perfect start in our FA Cup campaign. The draw for the next round will take place on Monday 19 January.

Leicester had some promising moments in the opening quarter-of-an-hour with the main threat coming from Noemie Mouchon, who forced Lize Kop with a low drive from the right of the area, while Maika Hamano, on her first start in Lilywhite, sent a header straight into the hands Leitzig. Our shot stopper nearly had a moment to forget when the ball rolled under her foot from Toko Koga’s pass, but she recovered well to clear the ball despite Shannon O’Brien racing down to challenge Kop.

O’Brien dragged an effort wide of the far post after a lovely ball from former Spur, Rosella Ayane, to set her through one-on-one with Kop. However, as we reached the midway point of the first period, we broke the deadlock after a trademark finish from our captain. Gaupset was at the heart of the build-up, guiding infield after beating three players on the left before her low shot from the edge of the box was palmed away by Leitzig to her right but England was there to slot home from a tight angle on the rebound.

That goal shifted momentum in our favour for the rest of the half, with Gaupset becoming a focal point in our build-up, but we could only go into the break with our one-goal advantage. England volleyed over the bar after Maika Hamano’s corner found our number nine at the back post before our captain teed up Hamano on the right of the box, but her effort was saved by Leitzig as we looked to strengthen our hold on the tie.

Julie Blakstad was introduced on 65 minutes for her debut, but it was the Foxes’ substitutions – Hannah Cain and former Spur Rachel Williams - who looked to make an impact on the proceedings. Cain’s right-footed effort from distance was routine for Kop before Williams fired over the bar from just outside the area. Despite the visitors increased pressure in search of an equaliser, we went up the other end and doubled our advantage on 74 minutes. Gaupset was influential once again as, after originally winning possession back, she advanced down the left and towards the byline before pulling the back into the centre of the box for Spence to guide a shot through the hands of Leitzig and into the back of the net.

With a bit of breathing space in the scoreline, chances were few and far between in the closing stages, but we did see Hanna Wijk and Nilden make their debuts from the bench, and the latter had a big moment to play in the first minute of stoppage time to help us add a third. Nilden showed strength and pace to get the better of two Leicester players and charge into the box and, although her effort on the stretch was saved by Leitzig, fellow substitute Gunning-Williams was there to force the ball home on the rebound as we secured our spot in the fifth round of the competition.

Match data

Goals: Spurs – England 24, Spence 74, Gunning-Williams 90+1.

Yellow cards: Spurs - Summanen 84; Leicester – Neville 64, Jansson 88.

Referee: Kirsty Dowle.

Venue: Brisbane Road.

Weather: Cloudy and mild, 13 degrees.

Attendance: 1062.