Tottenham Women 0, Manchester City Women 3
Manchester City notched up a joint record 12th consecutive WSL win a single season with a 3-0 victory at Tottenham to keep their title hopes alive.
Embed from Getty ImagesChloe Kelly’s in-swinging corner was turned into her own net by Rebecca Spencer before Janine Beckie and Caroline Weir made sure of victory.
The scene is now set for a potential title showdown at home to Chelsea but the two clubs’ goal difference could now become a factor.
With Chelsea winning 6-0 at home to Birmingham City, the Blues now have a 5 better goal difference over City which could make a difference at the end of the season with three league games to go.
Crucially, with the game sewn up, City missed two late chances to close the goal difference gap before settling for the 3-0 win.
Rose Lavelle and Lucy Bronze sat out the game at Barnet’s Hive Stadium against Spurs while Alex Greenwood dropping out of City’s starting lineup after pulling up during the warm-up.
Georgia Stanway, Caroline Weir, and Aoife Mannion started for City following Manchester City’s win over Barcelona in midweek.
And City were almost took an early lead after a rasping shot by Stanway was deflected onto the woodwork and was cleared behind for a corner by former City defender Abbie McManus.
City took the lead from Chloe Kelly’s subsequent in-swinging corner with the ball seemingly going in off Rebecca Spencer after the Spurs ‘keeper challenged Janine Beckie to meet it.
Spurs shrugged off the early blow to defy City’s attempts to extend their lead, restricting them to few chances – an early Ellen White shot was scant reward for dominating possession in the first half.
Kelly at least forced Spencer into another save but the whistle had gone for an infringement.
Beckie finally broke clear in the 28th minute on the break after Sam Mewis’ defence splitting pass put her clean through to hit her fourth league goal, squeezing the ball between the Spurs keeper and the back post after Tottenham had pushed up.
Weir’s shot was well held by Spencer after Beckie created a chance for her while Kelly’s cross was well held by the Spurs ‘keeper as City eyed the goal difference.
Kerys Harrop replaced Siri Worm at half time for City’s hosts.
Manchester City make sure of victory with second half goals but crucially miss out on chance to score more goals
City had a penalty shout for handball turned down after they sought a goal early after the restart but Spurs battled on with Harrop’s free kick getting through the City defence but going wide.
The pressure built though and Caroline Weir found herself unmarked after driving late into the box and slotted past Spencer in the 61st minute after latching onto a cut back by Kelly.
With the game relatively safe City rested some tired legs – White and Mewis were replaced by Lavelle and Laura Coombs after 63 minutes.
Spurs made a triple change with Cho So-hyun, Rachel Williams, and Lucy Quinn coming off to be replaced by Josie Green, Rosella Ayane, and Angela Addison.
Lavelle created a chance with a ball across the face of goal but two City attackers couldn’t get on the end of it as City looked to improve their goal difference.
The American was in good form and was also denied by a save from Spencer.
Spurs continued to press high and almost caught out Abby Dahlkemper as they tried to build up from the back but City found a way round the Spurs press.
Jess Naz was Spurs’ final change, replacing Rhianna Dean with 11 minutes to go.
And Graham raced onto the loose ball after City sloppiness had given the ball away, and had a shot blocked by Mannion.
Weir slid the ball wide after a great cross from the right by Beckie gave City the chance to add to their goal tally.
And Lauren Hemp, who had replaced Chloe Kelly, sent a rifled shot wide of the back post from the left flank.
Naz curled a late chance wide of the back post for Spurs as they pushed for a consolation goal with City tiring but Ellie Roebuck made an injury time save from a Spurs corner.
GOALS – Tottenham Women 0, Manchester City Women 3
Tottenham Women 0, Man City Women 1: 5. Rebecca Spencer went up to try and get the ball after Chloe Kelly aimed a corner at Janine Beckie but only succeeded in putting the ball into her own goal.
Tottenham Women 0, Man City Women 2: 38. Janine Beckie was put clean through and her shot beat Rebecca Spencer and squeezed inside the back post to double City’s lead.
Tottenham Women 0, Man City Women 3: 61. Caroline Weir arrived late in the box to convert Chloe Kelly’s cutback to make the game safe.
MATCH STATS – Tottenham Women 0, Manchester City Women 3
Tottenham Women: Spencer, Morgan, McManus, Zadorsky (C), Worm (Harrop 46), Cho (Green 67), Graham, Kennedy, Williams (Ayane 67), Dean (Naz 79), Quinn (Addison 67)
Tottenham Women Subs not used: Mikalsen, Davison, Peplow, Godfrey
Man City Women: Roebuck, Stanway, Mannion, Dahlkemper, Morgan, Walsh, Mewis (Coombs 63), Weir, Kelly (Hemp 78), Beckie, White (C) (Lavelle 63)
Man City Women Subs not used: Benameur Taieb, Keating, Park, Davies
Goals: Spencer og 5; Beckie 38; Weir 61
Referee: Amy Fearns