An inspired performance from Grace Clinton helped Tottenham to victory over West Ham in a seven-goal thriller in the Women’s Super League.
The 20-year-old midfielder scored twice and assisted Celin Bizet before Jessica Naz struck the winner in a match that swung one way then the other at Chigwell Construction Stadium.
Clinton’s second goal – a rocket from 20 yards out – put the visitors 3-1 up early in the second half, seemingly on course for a comfortable win.
Instead, West Ham came roaring back with Viviane Asseyi getting one back and, when Amber Tysiak equalised with 20 minutes left, the home side looked the more likely to win.
Five minutes later though, Spurs were celebrating as Naz found the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Spurs stay sixth but victory moves them level on points with Liverpool and Manchester United, while West Ham remain in 11th with only goal difference keeping them above the relegation place.
Clinton turned and rifled a left-footed shot into the bottom corner to open the scoring in the sixth minute but the Hammers were level 10 minutes before half-time when Risa Shimizu slid in to score her first goal for the club.
An inch-perfect through ball from Clinton put Bizet in to restore the lead for Robert Vilahamn’s side and Clinton doubled the advantage with a fierce strike soon after the restart.
West Ham were furious the goal was allowed to stand as they felt Amy Turner, stood in an offside position, impeded the view of goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
The home side used that sense of injustice to fuel a comeback with Asseyi applying the finishing touch after Riko Ueki’s cross had been diverted past goalkeeper Barbora Votikova by Spurs midfielder Eveliina Summanen.
Tysiak levelled with a looping header from a free-kick and the momentum seemed to be with the Hammers.
However, they were stunned by Naz’s clinical finish and despite piling on the pressure – with Katrina Gorry striking the post on her WSL debut – West Ham were unable to force an equaliser.
More to follow.
Line-ups
West Ham Women
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Arnold
- 21CookeSubstituted forDentonat 62′minutes
- 5Tysiak
- 23CissokoBooked at 29minsSubstituted forHarriesat 85′minutes
- 3Shimizu
- 8SnerleSubstituted forZiuat 62′minutes
- 22GorryBooked at 42mins
- 19HayashiSubstituted forMewisat 62′minutes
- 2Smith
- 20AsseyiBooked at 87mins
- 9UekiBooked at 21mins
Substitutes
- 12Harries
- 15Mewis
- 16Ziu
- 18Denton
- 24Stapleton
- 25Walsh
- 30O’Hanlon
- 35Ademiluyi
- 41Flannery
Tottenham Women
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Votíková
- 15James
- 4TurnerSubstituted forPetzelbergerat 56′minutes
- 5BartripBooked at 84mins
- 29Neville
- 14Bizet IldhusøySubstituted forVinbergat 80′minutes
- 20Ahtinen
- 25Summanen
- 8Clinton
- 9EnglandSubstituted forGrantat 90+1′minutes
- 17ThomasSubstituted forNazat 56′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Grant
- 6Nildén
- 7Naz
- 10Brazil
- 11Petzelberger
- 13Vinberg
- 16Graham
- 23Ayane
- 27Heeps
Live Text
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Match ends, West Ham United Women 3, Tottenham Hotspur Women 4.
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Second Half ends, West Ham United Women 3, Tottenham Hotspur Women 4.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
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Foul by Charlotte Grant (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
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Katrina Gorry (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Corner, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Conceded by Katrina Gorry.
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Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Charlotte Grant replaces Bethany England.
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Attempt missed. Katrina Gorry (West Ham United Women) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a corner.
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Corner, West Ham United Women. Conceded by Bethany England.
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Corner, West Ham United Women. Conceded by Eveliina Summanen.
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Corner, West Ham United Women. Conceded by Eveliina Summanen.
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Attempt blocked. Riko Ueki (West Ham United Women) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Katrina Gorry.
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Viviane Asseyi (West Ham United Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Eveliina Summanen (Tottenham Hotspur Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Viviane Asseyi (West Ham United Women).
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Substitution, West Ham United Women. Emma Harries replaces Hawa Cissoko.
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Attempt missed. Kristie Mewis (West Ham United Women) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top left corner from a direct free kick.
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Molly Bartrip (Tottenham Hotspur Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Molly Bartrip (Tottenham Hotspur Women).