š„ Tottenham 0ā1 Manchester United: Terlandās Early Strike & Defensive Dominance ā šWSL Match Week 13
In this post-match breakdown, we analyse the key stats, tactical trends, and data-driven insights from Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester Unitedās tightly contested WSL showdown.
š Pre-Match Context
Unitedās Form: Coming into this match, Manchester United boasted the best defensive record in the league and were on a four-match winning streak.
Spursā Challenge: Tottenham looked to shake off struggles against top-tier opposition, aiming to frustrate Unitedās high press.
Momentum Matters: A win would keep United in close pursuit of league leaders Chelsea.
ā½ļø Scoreline & Key Moments
Final Score: Tottenham Hotspur 0ā1 Manchester United
Goal: Elisabeth Terland (6ā², assisted by Jayde Riviere)
šÆ Instant Impact
Terlandās cool finish from Riviereās cross in the 6th minute proved decisive. Despite Unitedās 55% possession and 17 shots, Spursā resilient defense (38 clearances) made it a closer contest than the shot count suggests.
Woodwork: Ella Tooneās 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.
š Possession & Passing Dynamics
Possession Split
Tottenham 45% | Manchester United 55%
Total Passes & Accuracy
Tottenham: 413 passes (77% accuracy)
United: 493 passes (80% accuracy)
Unitedās moderate possession edge underlined their intent to control the tempo. Spurs sat deep, focusing on compact defense and counterattacks.
ā”ļø 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 Tottenhamās half.
ā”ļø 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. Unitedās six accurate crosses kept Tottenham on high alert.
šÆ 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.
š Shot Locations
Inside the Box: Spurs 4 | United 10
Outside the Box: Spurs 3 | United 7
With 33 touches in Spursā box, United dominated territory but lacked the final clinical edge.
š Big Chances & Woodwork
Big Chances: 0ā0
Woodwork: Spurs 0 | United 1
Ella Tooneās near miss was the closest either side came to adding another goal.
š”ļø 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
Tottenhamās 38 clearances and 7 blocks showcased their last-ditch defending. Despite the pressure, they largely held United at bay, aside from the early concession.
š§¤ Keeper Saves
Spurs GK: 1 save
United GK: 2 saves
Though the shot count was high, quality attempts were limited by disciplined back lines.
š¤¼ 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%)
š© 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.
š 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 Spursā late surge.
ā³ Historical & Tactical Context
Tottenhamās Deep Block: Spurs often adopt a low defensive line vs. top teams, evident in their 38 clearances. This strategy contained Unitedās attack but limited Tottenhamās own offensive output.
Unitedās High Press: Powered by players like Toone and Terland, Unitedās relentless pressing forced Spurs into a direct game, reinforcing why United boast the leagueās best defensive record.
š Overall Assessment
Early Goal, Big Impact: Terlandās 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.
Spursā Resilience: Tottenham grew into the match, nearly snatching a late equalizer, yet only managed 9 touches in Unitedās boxāhighlighting a persistent attacking shortfall.
Defensive Quality: Each sideās back line excelled, culminating in Unitedās second straight WSL clean sheet.
ā 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 Spursā attempts to build from the back.
š„ Final Word
Manchester United: With five consecutive WSL wins and sitting secondāseven points behind ChelseaāUnitedās 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. Theyāll need greater creativity to challenge the top teams.
š
Upcoming Fixtures
Manchester United Women
Saturday, February 8, 2025 (FA Womenās Cup Fifth Round)
vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers Women (5:15 PM)
Tottenham Hotspur Women
Sunday, February 9, 2025 (FA Womenās Cup Fifth Round)
vs. Reading Women
Both teams will seek momentum in the FA Womenās Cup before returning to WSL action.
š£ļø Share Your Thoughts!
What did you make of this tight 1ā0 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! āļøā¬ļø