Tottenham Women Draw as Morgan Starts and Dean Sees Red

The Tottenham Hotspur Women conceded early and late to Bristol City but managed two in between to leave with a single point in the Women’s Super League.

Today was going to be the day, after Alex Morgan had gotten some minutes at the end of the match last week versus Reading, Morgan had her first start for Tottenham Saturday at Bristol City. However, a first half penalty and a second half red card stole the headlines as Spurs Women left with a point in a 2-2 draw.

Alex Morgan Update

Alex Morgan got the start and played a few decent balls early, but ultimately was a bit starved for service overall. Morgan only played the half and ultimately did not have the impact she would have wanted, but this is all a process as we have seen with Gareth Bale. Hopefully, like with Bale and the men, the process will pay off for Morgan and the women. Last week Morgan made a cameo, this week, she played a half, next maybe a game.

The Worm Turns

Siri Worm – it is pronounced “Vorm” by the way – had a major say in the results Saturday. Worm was the Spur at fault for the challenge that led to the penalty. Caught a bit unprepared following a backheel from Ebony Salmon, Worm made a poor challenge in the box, which led to the penalty. After 35 minutes of strong play to give up the penalty was deflating to Spurs.

Worm would get some redemption and bring Spurs level before the break. Tottenham had a free kick from a tough angle between the corner of the 18 and the corner flag. Worm managed to curl the ball perfectly up over the wall, around the keeper and into the top corner to even the match. While Worm would probably like the penalty back the free kick made up for it.

Worm was not done having a hand in things for Spurs on the day. Tottenham again had a set piece situation after Angela Addison was fouled. This one was on the left side of the pitch and further away from goal well outside the penalty area. This time Worm was able to serve up a wonderful left footed floater to the middle of the box where Ashley Neville headed it home for the 2-1 Spurs lead.

It looked like Spurs Women were on their way to their first league victory of the season as they continued to pressure the Bristol City net. However, this pressure backfired on Tottenham as Rianna Dean came in on a challenge with Bristol keeper Sophie Baggaley. Baggaley had just beaten Dean to the ball and after a long period of treatment for both women, Dean was shown a red card and Spurs were down to 10 women.

Tottenham Cannot Finish the Game

It seemed that Siri Worm had finished the game off for Spurs just past 83 minutes as she took yet another free kick. This one curled over the wall and beat Baggaley but could not beat the crossbar and deflected down toward the goal line. In the mini scrum that ensued, Bristol was saved by the whistle protecting the keeper who seemed to have two hands on the loose ball.

As the game entered extra time, it seemed Tottenham had the win in hand, but some poor defending an a simple long ball over the top to Ebony Salmon, led to a breakaway and easy finish for the 2-2 draw. Ultimately, a poor challenge in the box defensively in the first half for the penalty and a late challenge in the box offensively for the red card in the second half defined the game.

Instead of celebrating Morgan’s return and a win, the women are asking themselves what happened. Certainly, feels like Spurs to me.