🔥 Tottenham 0–1 Manchester United: Terland’s Early Strike & Defensive Dominance – 🏆WSL Match Week 13

In this post-match breakdown, we analyse the key stats, tactical trends, and data-driven insights from Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United’s tightly contested WSL showdown.

WSL Analytics

Feb 03, 2025

🔍 Pre-Match Context

United’s Form: Coming into this match, Manchester United boasted the best defensive record in the league and were on a four-match winning streak.
Spurs’ Challenge: Tottenham looked to shake off struggles against top-tier opposition, aiming to frustrate United’s high press.
Momentum Matters: A win would keep United in close pursuit of league leaders Chelsea.

⚽️ Scoreline & Key Moments

Final Score: Tottenham Hotspur 0–1 Manchester United

Goal: Elisabeth Terland (6′, assisted by Jayde Riviere)

🎯 Instant Impact

Terland’s cool finish from Riviere’s cross in the 6th minute proved decisive. Despite United’s 55% possession and 17 shots, Spurs’ resilient defense (38 clearances) made it a closer contest than the shot count suggests.

Woodwork: Ella Toone’s cheeky effort rattled the post.
Last-Gasp Drama: Tottenham nearly stole a point in the 95th minute through Clare Hunt, but United held firm for a second straight clean sheet.

📊 Possession & Passing Dynamics

Possession Split

Tottenham 45% | Manchester United 55%

Total Passes & Accuracy

Tottenham: 413 passes (77% accuracy)
United: 493 passes (80% accuracy)

United’s moderate possession edge underlined their intent to control the tempo. Spurs sat deep, focusing on compact defense and counterattacks.

➡️ Passing Distribution

Passes in Own Half: Spurs 220 | United 178
Passes in Opp. Half: Spurs 97 | United 216

While Spurs often cleared their lines (38 clearances), United steadily advanced with more passes in Tottenham’s half.

⚡️ Crossing & Long Balls

Accurate Long Balls: Spurs 19 (37%) | United 16 (33%)
Accurate Crosses: Spurs 1 (11%) | United 6 (26%)

Spurs found little success out wide, completing just one cross. United’s six accurate crosses kept Tottenham on high alert.

🎯 Attacking Performance

Shots

Tottenham: 7 total (2 on target)
United: 17 total (2 on target)

Despite the shot volume, both teams mustered only two on-target efforts each.

📍 Shot Locations

Inside the Box: Spurs 4 | United 10
Outside the Box: Spurs 3 | United 7

With 33 touches in Spurs’ box, United dominated territory but lacked the final clinical edge.

🚀 Big Chances & Woodwork

Big Chances: 0–0
Woodwork: Spurs 0 | United 1

Ella Toone’s near miss was the closest either side came to adding another goal.

🛡️ Defensive Organization & Resilience

Tackles: Spurs 11 (61% success) | United 11 (48% success)
Blocks & Clearances: Spurs 7 blocks, 38 clearances | United 2 blocks, 14 clearances
Interceptions: Spurs 8 | United 6

Tottenham’s 38 clearances and 7 blocks showcased their last-ditch defending. Despite the pressure, they largely held United at bay, aside from the early concession.

🧤 Keeper Saves

Spurs GK: 1 save
United GK: 2 saves

Though the shot count was high, quality attempts were limited by disciplined back lines.

🤼 Duels & Discipline

Duels Won: Spurs 56 | United 57 (nearly even)
Ground Duels: Spurs 40 (50%) | United 40 (50%)
Aerial Duels: Spurs 16 (48%) | United 17 (52%)

🚩 Fouls & Cards

Fouls: Spurs 8 | United 11
Yellow Cards: Spurs 1 (Hayley Raso) | United 0
Offsides: Spurs 0 | United 3

Referee Kirsty Dowle kept things under control, issuing a single caution in a physical, yet fair encounter.

🔄 Substitutions & Tactical Adjustments

Tottenham

Introduced Vinberg and Csiki to energize the flanks and central areas.
Showed more assertive intent after halftime but struggled to sustain final-third pressure.

Manchester United

Brought on Malard and Mannion (among others) to protect the slim lead.
Exhibited strong game management, stifling Spurs’ late surge.

⏳ Historical & Tactical Context

Tottenham’s Deep Block: Spurs often adopt a low defensive line vs. top teams, evident in their 38 clearances. This strategy contained United’s attack but limited Tottenham’s own offensive output.
United’s High Press: Powered by players like Toone and Terland, United’s relentless pressing forced Spurs into a direct game, reinforcing why United boast the league’s best defensive record.

🏆 Overall Assessment

Early Goal, Big Impact: Terland’s 6th-minute strike set the tone, allowing United to dictate without chasing the game.
Control vs. Conversion: Despite 17 shots, United registered just two on target. The three points are welcome, but finishing remains a concern.
Spurs’ Resilience: Tottenham grew into the match, nearly snatching a late equalizer, yet only managed 9 touches in United’s box—highlighting a persistent attacking shortfall.
Defensive Quality: Each side’s back line excelled, culminating in United’s second straight WSL clean sheet.

⭐ Man of the Match: Elisabeth Terland

Terland takes the honors for her composed match-winner and high-intensity pressing. Beyond scoring her sixth goal for United, she consistently disrupted Spurs’ attempts to build from the back.

🔥 Final Word

Manchester United: With five consecutive WSL wins and sitting second—seven points behind Chelsea—United’s blend of stout defence and attacking incision underscores a potential title credentials.

Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs showed glimpses of progress but struggled to transform defensive resilience into a cutting edge up front. They’ll need greater creativity to challenge the top teams.

📅 Upcoming Fixtures

Manchester United Women

Saturday, February 8, 2025 (FA Women’s Cup Fifth Round)

vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers Women (5:15 PM)

Tottenham Hotspur Women

Sunday, February 9, 2025 (FA Women’s Cup Fifth Round)

vs. Reading Women

Both teams will seek momentum in the FA Women’s Cup before returning to WSL action.

🗣️ Share Your Thoughts!

What did you make of this tight 1–0 result? Can United maintain their title chase behind Chelsea, and how can Spurs unlock more attacking threat in future matches? Drop your comments and reactions below! ✍️⬇️