LONDON — Martha Thomas scored for Tottenham Hotspur who shocked Arsenal 1-0 for their first victory over the Gunners in the Women’s Super League, spoiling Arsenal’s chance to move to the top of the table.
Tottenham are sixth in the standings on 15 points after 10 games, while Arsenal are second with 22 points and trail Chelsea on goal difference.
Arsenal dominated, with Caitlin Foord striking the post in the first half and Alessia Russo sending a header just off target after the interval.
But Spurs went ahead against the run of play in the 58th minute with Thomas slotting in Celin Bezit’s cross.
Tottenham’s victory ended Arsenal’s winning streak of seven consecutive matches. Spurs had lost their previous two games by a combined 11-0.
It took until the 12th minute for the first opportunity of note when a Caitlin Foord effort deflected wide to earn Arsenal a corner.
Eidevall’s side produced a neat short corner routine and it should have resulted in the opener, but Alessia Russo inexplicably headed wide from four yards.
Spurs had shipped 11 goals in their last two WSL matches, which saw Vilahamn hand goalkeeper Barbora Votikova a first league start and the post came to her rescue soon after when Foord again cut inside and rifled a shot against the woodwork.
Tottenham was forced to replace centre-back Luana Buhler minutes later before Arsenal had penalty appeals waved away after Beth Mead went down after contact from Ashleigh Neville.
The hosts were able to regroup afterwards though and Celin Bizet posed questions of the visiting defence with two dangerous runs down the right.
Arsenal still looked the more threatening and Votikova saved well from Frida Maanum not long after Foord had directed another effort off target to ensure it remained goalless at the break.
Bethany England, only recently back from hip surgery, was withdrawn at the break but it was the away side who came out with better intent. Russo squandered another fine headed opportunity from a cross after 50 minutes before Votikova saved well from long-range efforts by McCabe and Maanum.
Molly Batrip brilliantly blocked a Mead shot moments later and it appeared Arsenal were edging closer to the breakthrough, but they were stunned by the hosts in the 58th minute.
Under pressure at the back, Tottenham kept their composure brilliantly and six passes after Votikova had possession inside her own penalty area, Vilahamn’s team were down the other end and Thomas had poked home following Bizet’s perfectly-weighted pass.
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