Tottenham's survival hopes boosted with first win since October

Updated: Oct 12, 2023, 03:20 pm
Tottenham celebrate Bethany England's winning goal against Leicester City.
John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images

Bethany England's wonder strike was the difference as Spurs claimed a big three points in the WSL with a 1-0 win in their rescheduled relegation scrap against bottom of the table Leicester City on Wednesday night.

The win was Tottenham's first since October and came in the first match in charge for new coach Vicky Jepson, who took charge on Monday to replace Rehanne Skinner.

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With the victory, Tottenham jumped up to ninth place in the WSL standings, five points clear of last-placed Leicester.

Following a dour opening hour with little in the way of clear-cut chances for either side, the game sparked into life halfway through the second half.

Through on goal, Hannah Cain could have given the Foxes the lead but her weak effort was easily put behind by Tinja-Riikka Korpela, who was called back into action to parry Sophie Howard's header away at the resulting corner.

Leicester weren't done yet however and hit the top of the crossbar with the follow-up shot.

It was to be a pivotal moment in the game as just moments later, Spurs went forward with venom and suddenly had the lead thanks to a superb curler from England that left Janina Leitzig grasping at the air.

Having lost each of their last nine WSL games, the Lilywhites were buoyed by the goal and got to work looking for a second to put the game to bed. While Leicester began to leave gaps at the back as they searched for an equaliser, the game ended with just the solitary goal.