In a thrilling encounter at Copper Jax Stadium, the London City Lionesses secured their fourth WSL win in a stunning 4–2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. After taking the lead through a well-crafted Freya Godfrey goal, the visitors levelled through a penalty kick. But the hosts’ determination paid off in a pulsating second half, with goals from Nikita Parris, an own goal from Spurs’ Nildén, and another exquisite strike from Godfrey securing a deserved win, as the Lionesses sent a clear message in their top-flight bow: they’re here to stay. Read our full match report on London City Lionesses vs. Tottenham Hotspur here.
Match Highlights
- (8′) — Freya Godfrey opened the scoring for London City. After a well-worked corner delivery from Sangaré, Godfrey was left unmarked in the box and curled a precise shot into the bottom corner.
- (38′) — Tottenham equalized from the penalty spot. A foul by Saki on Drew Spence inside the box saw Tandberg step up and confidently send the goalkeeper the wrong way.
- (50′) — London City regained the lead with a beautifully crafted goal. Geyoro dispossessed Spence in midfield, found Asllani, who released Godfrey down the right. Her perfect cross found Nikita Parris at the far post, and Parris slotted it home.
- (69′) — Tottenham responded in sensational style. After a foul on the edge of the box, Summanen curled a free kick into the top corner, beating the goalkeeper to level the score.
- (81′) — In an unfortunate turn of events for Tottenham, Nildén scored an own goal. A free kick from Asllani was headed toward the far post by Sangaré, and Nildén inadvertently deflected the ball into her own net.
- (84′) — Freya Godfrey sealed her brace with a stunning strike. Cutting inside from the left, she curled a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper into the corner.
Strong Start by London City
London City Lionesses made a confident start against Tottenham Hotspur, setting the early tempo and pinning the visitors deep inside their own half. Their high press and quick passing on the flanks, particularly through Kathleen Imuran on the left, forced Spurs into mistakes and earned the hosts an early corner.
From the ensuing delivery, Asllani’s near-post cross was flicked on by Sangaré, finding Freya Godfrey unmarked in the centre of the box. Godfrey showed great composure, curling a precise finish into the bottom corner to give London City a deserved lead.
Tottenham sought an immediate response but struggled to break through a well-organised Lionesses defence. Godfrey continued to impress, not only with her attacking movement but also in her relentless work rate, tracking back to help clear danger on several occasions.
Tandberg Equalized from the Spot
Spurs laboured to find their rhythm in the final third, with forward Cathinka Tandberg largely isolated as London City’s intensity disrupted Tottenham’s build-up play. Holdt provided the main creative spark for the visitors, driving through midfield and looking to link with Tandberg when possible.
However, against the run of play, Tottenham were handed a lifeline in the 38th minute. Saki Kumagai’s late challenge on Drew Spence inside the box left the referee with little choice but to point to the spot. Tandberg stepped up and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, slotting home to level the score at 1–1.
The equalizer lifted Tottenham’s confidence, and the match became more evenly contested in the closing stages of the half. London City threatened twice more before the interval but were unable to restore their lead, and the sides went into the break level, a fair reflection of an entertaining and hard-fought first half.
Taking Back the Lead
London City Lionesses restored their advantage early in the second half with a superbly constructed move. Geyoro dispossessed Spence in midfield and quickly found Asllani, who released Godfrey down the right-hand side. Her cross was perfectly measured for Nikita Parris arriving at the far post, and the forward slid in to turn the ball home.
While Parris’s finish gave London City the lead once more, the celebrations were momentarily paused as she collided with goalkeeper Lize Kop in the process, catching her in the face with her boot. Kop required treatment but was eventually able to continue.
Spectaculair Free Kick from Summanen
Tottenham looked to respond, and they did so in stunning fashion. Having already found themselves behind, Spurs were determined to fight back once more. After Asllani fouled a Tottenham player just outside the box, Summanenen stepped up to take the resulting free kick. The midfielder delivered a sensational curling strike that swerved into the top corner of the net, leaving the London City goalkeeper no chance and bringing the visitors level at 2–2. It was a moment of individual brilliance that injected new life into Tottenham’s performance and briefly tilted the momentum in their favour.
Moments later, London City’s persistence paid off. Awarded a free kick high up the pitch, Asllani delivered an inviting ball into the box that Sangaré headed towards the far post, and in an unfortunate twist for Tottenham, Nildén turned it into her own net to put the Lionesses back ahead. It was a particularly sour moment for Nildén, who had been one of Spurs’ standout defenders up to that point, repeatedly cutting out attacks and blocking passes down the left flank, only for her solid performance to be overshadowed by a cruel deflection into her own goal.
Godfrey Strikes Again
Freya Godfrey then sealed the result with another moment of quality, curling a beautiful left-footed strike into the corner after cutting inside from the left to make it 4–2. Having scored her second of the match, Godfrey was replaced by Alana Kennedy to a warm ovation from the home supporters.
Bethany England had a late opportunity in the 88th minute but dragged her effort just wide of the far post. Despite ten minutes of added time following the earlier stoppage for Kop’s injury, Tottenham were unable to find a way back.
At the final whistle, London City Lionesses celebrated a memorable 4–2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, an impressive result for the WSL debutants, who combined intensity, creativity, and resilience to claim their fourth top-flight win.
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