Set Piece Sucker Punch

I keep trying to remind myself that it's a good thing to be disappointed about a draw against Manchester United. Sure, the manner of conceding in stoppage time was a bit demoralizing since that's a recurring issue. But this is a team that we've never beaten in the WSL, and before this match had never earned a point against as the visiting team. We're seeing Spurs Women progress not just in performances but also in terms of results. Of course, Robert Vilahamn would tell us that the former is more important than the latter. It's his job to do the long-term thinking, but as fans, we can appreciate the short-term bragging rights. The tide is beginning to turn in this fixture.

This match was also a tantalizing preview of the upcoming FA Cup final next month. Not only does it appear we will be competitive in the final, but it feels eminently winnable. To dare is to do, after all.

In this issue: Manchester United recap | Previewing the weekend fixtures | News from around the Lane

Sorry to bring the mood down, but we have a very obnoxious fixture clash to deal with as a club this weekend. Both senior Spurs teams play simultaneously (2 pm BST, 8 am CDT for me) on Sunday, Brighton for the Women and Arsenal for the Men. I'll be double-screening it, but I feel for everyone who had to choose which game to attend. I'll preview both games below and do my best to recap them fully next week, but it may require some retroactive highlights viewing to capture all the nuances I miss with my divided attention.

WSL Matchday 18 recap | Manchester United 2 - 2 Tottenham

Malard 13', Le Tissier 90+2' | England 29', Naz 31'

While I maintain that this was a competitive showing from Spurs, I do have to acknowledge the stilted flow of the game, where the balance of control shifted several times. Our most dominant period of the match was rewarded with two quickfire goals in two minutes but was bookended on the scoresheet by two poor goal concessions on set pieces. And if I have one criticism of Vilahamn's strategy (or at least, the execution on the pitch) it's that we entered game management mode too early and invited unnecessary pressure in the second half. Some of that ceding of the attacking balance could be due to personnel limits, which I'll get into now.

Starting XI:

Two players were left out of the matchday squad: Grace Clinton (ineligible due to loan) and Celin Bizet (perhaps rest, perhaps a knock). This meant that Matilda Vinberg got her second start of the season at left winger and, most interestingly, Beth England started at right winger rather than striker. Jess Naz has been in peak form at striker and got the nod to start up top. Martha Thomas started at the #10 in place of Clinton. The midfield pivot and defense were unchanged from the previous win in the FA Cup.

Speaking of the Leicester City game, one of the reasons we were able to complete the comeback was the superiority of our bench compared to the Foxes'. You wouldn't think two players missing could make such a difference, but Clinton and Bizet have been key contributors all season long. While we still had some great options in this game, like Kit Graham and Olga Ahtinen, the other two eventual substitutions felt less inspired and Vilahamn left some potential game-changers on the bench (Charli Grant, Wang Shuang). I'm also started to feel concerned about the lack of minutes for Molly Bartrip, but hopefully we'll see her start or get significant time off the bench in the upcoming Brighton match.

Meanwhile, Manchester United did change the course of the game with Marc Skinner's chosen subs, which included Geyse, Hinata Miyazawa, and the two players who scored in their FA Cup win last week (Lucia Garcia and Rachel Williams).

Key highlights & takeaways:

• England had an early chance within the first 30 seconds when Vinberg spun Aoife Mannion and sent a looping cross behind United's backline, but England sent her shot over the goal.

• United scored first thanks to a free kick, which Melvine Malard headed into the net. Most of Spurs' defense was clustered to our right side, and Luana Bühler was left to mark Malard with no hope of backup. Bühler is not particularly great in the air, so I'm not sure why she was given the central marking assignment. Becky Spencer did herself no favors by coming off her line too soon, leaving Malard with an open net to target.

• We responded with a set piece goal of our own, albeit less clinically executed. After Eveliina Summanen laid off a short corner to Vinberg to cross into the box, a United player (Malard I believe) did get a touch on the ball, but it deflected right into Drew Spence's path. Her low volleyed shot looked to have gone in unimpeded but England got a final touch on it at close range. Maya Le Tissier was keeping her onside, thankfully. I was quite disappointed for Drew not to get the goal since she hasn't scored at all this season, but at least it counted as an assist for her.

• Capitalizing on the momentum of the equalizer, we went ahead just over two minutes later after a period of sustained ball movement led to another Vinberg cross, this time getting her on the scoresheet with an assist for Naz. It seemed like the United backline had switched off because they expected a whistle for a foul on England, but the ref played advantage and Summanen's through ball found Vinberg in acres of space near the goal line. But Naz still had to work for her shot, pulling off a superb turn in tight space at the edge of the box to evade Katie Zelem. Her shot was perfectly placed and perfectly paced to slice through Earps' outstretched hands.

• Thomas had to sub out right after the goal with a likely reaggravation of her hamstring injury. Here's hoping it's not too serious.

• Spencer had to make a stretching save on a close-range rebound shot from Lisa Naalsund on a United corner.

• The second half overall was not a great demonstration of Tottenham's attacking identity. In fact, I struggle to recall a single big chance created. Instead, the match took on the feel of the home NLD, wherein we hardly retained any possession but defended staunchly and limited the opposition to poor-quality chances. It was working... until it didn't. When the board showed just four minutes of stoppage time (I say "just" in this new era where lengthy stoppage times have become normalized), it seemed like we might actually hold out and claim our first-ever WSL win against United.

• Alas, it was not to be. A corner was conceded a minute and a half into the stoppage period, and it looked like Rachel Williams was going to deliver the dagger against her old team, but her header hit the crossbar, sailed up into the air, and came back down right in front of England and Amy James-Turner. Le Tissier bundled into both of them as she put the ball into the net, with the ball deflecting off England on the way in.

Now, here is where some slight controversy comes in. I do think that if we had VAR in the WSL, this goal would not have been given due to a foul on James-Turner by Geyse that prevented her from challenging Le Tissier for the header. But we don't have VAR in this league, much to my constant chagrin. Taking out our best defender (when it comes to aerial duels at least) was a shrewd and effective tactic by Geyse.

I had also mentioned in my preview that Le Tissier is known for her physical play, and it was on full display in her borderline reckless attempt on the ball for the goal. To call it a header would be allowing her too much claim to finesse. It wasn't a foul by the letter of the law as she hit the ball before England, but it doesn't mean I have to approve of it. Fairly or not, the last couple of United games have given me the impression that she's a dirty player (see also: her deliberate shoulder barge on Mayra Ramírez in the FA Cup semi-final, which she apparently has form for).

• Trying to put some perspective on this result, it was not a fixture we would have expected to gain any points in coming into the season. And although we have still had some poor results against the typical top 4 sides (Liverpool may have something to say about that pecking order by the end of the campaign), we have shown in several matches that we can now compete with them as peers. In fact, the only top 4 side we have yet to claim any points—or crucial cup wins—against is Chelsea. We'll get an opportunity to rectify that on the penultimate WSL matchday.

That game in hand is going to be a massive challenge though, and with six points currently between us and both United and Liverpool, it's looking unlikely that we can sneak into the 4th spot by the end of the season. I don't know about y'all, but I will take a top-half-of-the-table finish in the season following a relegation scare. The progress we've made on the pitch is the most important outcome.

SAtP Player of the Match: Matilda Vinberg

The theme for Tilly's first few months with the club is "seizing her moment." Every time she's been called upon she has delivered a strong performance. Whether or not she can claim a regular starting spot next season might depend on whether Clinton joins on a permanent basis. Regardless, I feel confident she will become an important player even if it's primarily off the bench at this early stage of her development.

She was a clear standout in this starting performance against United and played Aoife Mannion, Irish international, into an early substitution.

Notable and quotable:

• This was just the second goal for Naz in WSL play, although she has scored four goals across the two cup competitions. She is now joint-third in the team for goal contributions (two goals, three assists), tied with Bizet.

• I found it funny that Jess downplayed her own goal in her post-game interview, noting instead that her teammates are always looking to take advantage of her runs in behind. She showed in this game that she can be a threat working within the confines of the 18-yard box as well. I know it's clichéd to make comparisons to players from the Men's team, but truly, the #7 spirit was strong in Jess for this goal. How many times have we seen Sonny score a similar goal? Hopefully there will come a time when Jess is equally recognized for her on-the-ball ability as well as her rapid pace.

• Vinberg has one goal and one assist in her two WSL starts so far. Not a bad return!

• Vilahamn's verdict:

A draw against Man United away is a good result. I think the girls deserved to win because of how they [fought]... They were really showing the energy to compete for this club and that makes me proud.

• He also praised England for her "blocking and pressing" from the right winger position, which I don't believe we've seen her play in before this season.

Bethany is a player that can play basically everywhere because she's so clever, and she brings the energy to this team.

There was "a plan for her to become the second striker" and arrive at the far post at moments in the game, such as when Vinberg delivered her crosses into the box. I just wish more of the chances would start falling to her! Still, she's finding ways to make an impact even when she's not getting on the scoresheet.

• Spurs are undefeated in the last five games, all competitions.

Previewing WSL Matchday 19 — Brighton & Hove Albion

Last weekend we saw how difficult it can be to go toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in the league, especially when missing a couple of important players, but the next matchup represents a game where we should be the dominant side. As Robert Vilahamn noted in his post-game comments after the United match, this is a fixture where we want to show our ability to "dictate" the game and fully execute our principles of attacking football.

The Seagulls haven't beaten a team from the current top 6 before or since their shocking 0-1 win at Manchester City in November. Their only other result against a team from the top half of the table was the 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United.

In our reverse fixture, Spurs came back from an 8th-minute Elisabeth Terland goal to finish 1-3 winners. Brighton have a new interim manager now, Mikey Harris, who had previously only coached in men's football but seems to have a decent amount of buy-in from the squad. But they remain heavily reliant on Terland for goals (she has 12 in the WSL, third best in the league), with no other Brighton player having more than three goals.

Pauline Bremer just returned from injury in their last match, a 1-2 loss against Everton.

As for Spurs, there a few lingering injury concerns from last week. Per Vilahamn's latest press conference, both Martha Thomas and Drew Spence will have late fitness tests to determine if they can make the matchday squad, while Celin Bizet is being held out with a slight foot injury. On a positive note, Bizet is expected to be back in training next week. With the FA Cup final less than three weeks away, we can't afford to take any chances with knocks and muscle injuries.

Grace Clinton will be available again, however, so I would expect to see her replace Thomas at the #10, and perhaps a reshuffling of the forward line to have Beth England at striker and Jess Naz at right winger. Alternatively, if Spence is fit, Clinton could start at her usual left winger spot and Spence line up as the playmaker, dropping Matilda Vinberg to the bench. If Vilahamn is feeling truly experimental we could even see Wang Shuang make a rare appearance. It feels like we haven't utilized her enough, though there were questions about her fitness when she first signed in January that may still be a concern (again, no need to take risks).

I really would like to see Molly Bartrip get a start, not only for the sake of needing minutes after such a long time out but also to give Amy James-Turner a well-deserved rest. Amanda Nildén has also played heavy minutes since she joined and a start for Charli Grant in her place would be welcome.

Vilahamn has acknowledged that we are considered the "favorites" going into this match. To me, it feels like a should-win more so than a must-win; our league table position is looking pretty set at this point. The most important thing is building on the progress made so far this season and keeping confidence high ahead of the final.

Previewing PL Matchday 33 — Arsenal

That sound you hear is the biggest of gulps. Sure, Chelsea are godawful this season and didn't put up much of a fight for Arsenal, but how could anyone feel confident going into a match with an opponent who just won their last game 5-0? At the very least, it's impossible to have momentum on our side in light of that result for Arsenal and our lack of a fixture for two weeks prior to the game. I suppose if we wanted to find a silver lining it's that Arsenal haven't beaten a decent team (a category that obviously cannot include Chelsea at the moment) in just as long, beating 11th-placed Wolves but losing their previous two games to Bayern Munich and Aston Villa.

And hey, it's the home NLD. I know that didn't matter last season, but that was a very dark time when Antonio Conte was still around, sucking all the attacking impetus and joy out of the club. They say "form goes out the window" in a derby, but bad vibes are much harder to shake. I won't say the vibes are great around Spurs Men post-Newcastle loss, but they're nowhere near as dire as the end of last season.

Jurrien Timber is the only player who could miss the derby for Arsenal. He only made one PL appearance for them before tearing his ACL earlier in the season and just returned to play with the Arsenal U21s earlier this week.

There's good news and bad news for Spurs on the injury front. Let's start with the good: Pedro Porro and Richarlison were both back in training and expected to be in the matchday squad. The bad: the club confirmed that Destiny Udogie underwent surgery on his left quadriceps and won't be rejoining the squad in training until the pre-season. Oliver Skipp also will be out this weekend due to a knock picked up in training, though he hasn't featured since coming on as a substitute for the last four minutes in the February 3 draw at Everton.

Ange Postecoglou has some selection dilemmas for this match.

Although Porro is likely to start at right fullback, Udogie's absence on the right side necessitates a start from a player who hasn't received many minutes lately, whether Ange opts for Ben Davies, Emerson Royal, or Radu Drǎguşin. My personal preference would be Davies, largely because of his NLD experience, but also because neither Royal nor Drǎguşin are as comfortable playing on the left side as Davies.

Then there's the midfield configuration to deal with. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg could be said to be in the best form out of all the choices, but Ange has tended to favor him as a "closer" rather than a starter. It might be last chance saloon for Yves Bissouma if he puts in another poor performance. We need James Maddison to regain his form, and quickly, if we're going to have much hope of achieving Champions League qualification. He'll need to keep his temper in this contentious derby match. And I really think Giovani Lo Celso should be getting more game time currently, whether it's for the purpose of attracting a transfer offer in the summer or determining whether he should stay with the club another season instead.

The forward line is no less difficult to predict. It's hard to know if Ange will value experience or form more, especially at the winger positions. Dejan Kulusevski does tend to show up in big games, but Brennan Johnson has often been a rare bright spot in this second half of the season. And although Timo Werner has contributed a lot in his loan spell so far (two goals and three assists), I could see him dropping to the bench in order to let Son Heung-min move out to the wing while Richarlison starts at striker. Switching things up to have more of a target forward in the central spot would probably be wise since we have become rather reliant on the wingers' crosses to create chances of late, with the midfield struggling to bring a more creative approach to the middle of the park.

The thought of losing this game and giving Arsenal that much more hope of winning the title honestly makes me nauseous, so let's just hope the lads turn up on Sunday and play for the badge. It's all we can ask for. Whatever else happens this season will feel bearable no matter what if we can secure a win in the NLD.

News from around the Lane

• Eleanor Heeps has extended her contract to stay with the club until 2027.

Eleanor has gained first-team experience on several loans in the past few seasons since joining Spurs and has recently been in the matchday squad for Spurs when Barbora Votíková was injured. Hopefully she will make her senior debut within the next season.

In her signing interview, Eleanor cited the guidance of goalkeeping coach Perry Suckling and working alongside Becky Spencer as big boosts to her development, as she aims to improve her distribution to go along with her shot-stopping skills.

• This is not necessarily hugely impactful news for Spurs, but the FA Cup has scrapped replays from the first round proper onward in the Men's tournament—the Women's tournament doesn't have them already. While I do understand the rationale for avoiding replays in later rounds since players for top-flight teams are increasingly worn down by schedule congestion (both at the domestic and international levels), lower-league clubs benefit from the additional matchday revenue of replays and are understandably upset about this change—not least because there was very little consultation with them before the decision was made. The magic of the cup just got a lot less magical for the "minnows".

• Dejan Kulusevski celebrated his 24th birthday and welcomed his first child into the world. Congrats, Deki!

• The Men's U21s secured top of the table in the PL2 regular season with one game left to play, beating Fulham 0-2 away. Will Lankshear scored a brace but could easily have scored four or five on another day, while Luca Gunter made some big saves to preserve the clean sheet.

After playing the previously postponed final fixture against Crystal Palace on Monday, the Academy team will then prepare for the playoffs knockout stage, featuring the top 16 teams from the regular season. All playoff games will be single elimination. Spurs will also have home-field advantage the whole way through the playoffs due to their top seeding.

Think of it this way: it could potentially be a very satisfying two hours of football on Sunday. We won't consider the alternative.

Keep the faith, and get your double screens ready for kickoff if you can't make it out to one of the home grounds.

COYS

Thank you for reading!

If you’re enjoying the newsletter, make sure to sign up for a free subscription to receive new issues in your inbox. You can also buy me a Ko-fi to support my work with a one-time tip. Your support keeps Spurs Across the Pond running and is much appreciated!

You can also find me on Twitter and podcasting at N17 Women and The Tottenham Depot.