Best of the Rest
Despite a springtime stumble that included four straight losses in all competitions, Spurs Women were able to cap off the 2025/26 campaign with a three-game unbeaten run against three of their closest competitors, ending with a statement victory at Brighton & Hove Albion.
This is still a squad in transition—especially after the impending summer exit of captain and striker Bethany England—but the young core has proven over the last few games that there is a promising foundation to build upon.
In this issue: Brighton & Hove Albion recap | News from around the Lane
It's time for one last match recap of the season, plus assorted news.
I'm not feeling any motivation to change my mind on writing about the Men's team currently managed by an abuse apologist, regardless of which league they end up playing in next season after Sunday's relegation decider. But I will still be doing the usual season recap issue for the Women's team, so keep an eye out for that soon, likely next week. After that, I will be putting the newsletter on hiatus for the off-season. I need the reprieve, and I'm sure y'all need a break from thinking about this often maddening club, too.
But for now, let's look back at a satisfying final Women's Super League matchday on the south coast.
WSL MD 22 | Brighton & Hove Albion 1 - 2 Tottenham
Haley 49' | Holdt 81', Koga 90+2'
This could be the last time we see this particular Spurs Women lineup if Maika Hamano isn't persuaded to become a permanent transfer (fingers crossed), so hopefully everyone enjoyed watching them! As it happened, Hamano only ended up playing the first half due to a knock.
But for all the promising attacking play in the first half, we entered the break scoreless and conceded the first goal to Brighton shortly after restarting. Although Lize Kop made the save on the initial shot from Kiko Seike, Madison Haley arrived unmarked in the box to tap it in.
We left the comeback late, but it did make for a thrilling end to the season. Olivia Holdt scored a rare goal from within the box when she was quickest to react in the congested goalmouth. Brighton weren't content to play out a draw, and neither were Spurs. Kop made several saves to prevent a Brighton game-winner. Then, after a hopeful ball over the top of Brighton's defense looked destined to sputter out, Beth England was unable to reach the ball but did force a hasty clearance from Brighton's keeper for the day, Sophie Baggaley. The ball fell kindly to Tōko Koga and the young centerback didn't hesitate to take advantage of Baggaley being out of goal, sending a long range chip shot into the net. She wasn't the first Spurs player who attempted to catch Baggaley out, and finally we were rewarded for the audacity. Some goal to win the match and call game on the season!
Even during the downturn in form in the second half of this season, the players never lacked for self-belief or determination. Those qualities helped them complete the comeback against Brighton and end the season feeling confident about their status as the so-called "best of the rest," withstanding challenges from both London City Lionessees and Brighton in the final two games. However, next season is a blank slate, and we've learned from previous strong seasons not to rest on our laurels in the transfer window and allow other clubs to overtake us the next campaign. Time will tell if this is the year we finally break the cycle and cut put together a sustained run of progress.
Notable & quotable:
• Signe Gaupset earned Player of the Match for the second Women's Super Leauge game in a row.
• Tōko Koga's goal was only her second of the campaign; she ended the league season with three goal contributions total.
• Olivia Holdt ended the season as the club's top goal-scorer in the WSL, with eight successful strikes.
• We only took one point off Brighton last season; this season, we completed the league double over them.
• After previously setting a new club high mark for points in a WSL season, we extended the new record to 36 points with this win.
• We also secured a new club record for most goals in a WSL season with 35.
• Nevertheless, we ended the campaign with a negative goal difference.
• Ella Morris was full of praise for Koga:
The sky's the limit for Tōko. I can't rave enough about her on the ball. I love playing alongside her. She's brilliant, so I'm so excited to see what she's going to go on and achieve.
• Martin Ho added his own thoughts on Koga's game-winning goal and promising first season at the club:
If you look at her age, she probably plays above her years as a player. As a person, she's wonderful, always wants to learn and is a leader quietly. Leadership is different in different ways, she shows that by action and how professional she is. She was deserving of that. I think what she's done all this year, she's performed at such a high level for a young player, she's just turned 20 and the future's really bright for her. When she hits that ball, under pressure, off balance, I think it shows the signs of the quality she has.
• Holdt reflected on a positive first full season at Spurs (she had joined midway through the previous campaign in the January window):
I've enjoyed playing football and I think when I enjoy playing football, that's also when I play the best football. So, to be able to help the team with goals and assist, in tough games like this. It's been really nice and I've enjoyed it.
• Ho also gave his overall verdict on the season after a satisfying win in the final game:
The way you finish is probably how you're remembered. We started with a win, we finished now with a win, and we can make sure we go away from here with confidence and a lot of motivation to come back in the summer after a well-deserved break for the players and the staff, psychologically and then also physically to reset. When we do that, we come back in with the same intentions going into next season.
News from around the Lane
• Olivia Holdt was nominated for the Women's Super League Goal of the Season award for her strike against London City Lionesses, but unfortunately lost out to rumored Spurs summer target Kirsty Hanson.
• Tōko Koga earned a spot on the WSL Team of the Season for her standout debut season in the league. Congrats, Tōko!
• Two Spurs loan players will face off in the League Two promotion playoff final: Tyrese Hall's Notts County will take on Alfie Dorrington's Salford City. The final is on Monday, May 25.
• U18s defender Tyler Tingey has been named the club's Men's Academy Scholar of the Season.
• Check out the club's recap of the Women's Academy season.
• Congratulations to Spurs Women alumna Kerys Herrop on her induction into the WSL Hall of Fame!
In past years I was happy to provide a little World Cup commentary in this newsletter, but frankly, my heart just isn't in it for the upcoming Men's edition—for many reasons. I hope the Tottenham players involved get what they want out of participating in the tournament, but that's all I've got to say on the subject.
That's all for today's issue. Keep an eye out for the Spurs Women season recap bumper special, then it's time to enjoy the off-season!
COYS
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