Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 West Ham United: Spurs edge West Ham in Martin Ho’s first game in charge | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur kicked off their WSL season by narrowly defeating West Ham in a cagey London derby.

It was a successful start for new Spurs manager Martin Ho, who took charge for the first time in a competitive match.

Spurs recalled Kit Graham from her lengthy extended injury absence, and new recruit Toko Koga impressed on her league debut.

As it happened

Tottenham Hotspur began brightly, winning a succession of early corners, but neither side were able to fashion clear-cut chances. Despite numerous shots from range, only one shot on target was recorded in the first 45 minutes.

West Ham’s second half began badly as goalkeeper Kinga Szemik left the pitch injured and was substituted for Megan Walsh in the 56th minute. Soon after Ffion Morgan came on in her first match for the visitors. Meanwhile, Cathinka Tandberg came on for Spurs following her summer move from Hammarby.

For Tottenham Hotspur, Kit Graham had the comfort of home support as she returned from injury. Olga Ahtinen and Lenna Gunning-Williams arrived to shake the attack up. Koga impressed at the other end with her pace and composure, providing the defence with a stability that had far too often been lacking last season.

West Ham made further alterations, yet it was Spurs who hit late. It came in the 85th minute when West Ham’s captain Katrina Gorry brought down Eveliina Summanen inside the box. Captain Bethany England converted the penalty with a decisive right-footed strike into the far corner.

Tottenham stayed resolute in stoppage time, with England coming off for Charlie Grant in the 98th minute, and held on to confirm the three points in front of 1,735 fans.

The lineups