WSL: Liverpool bank first win of the season thanks to Höbinger set piece brace | OneFootball

A stoppage time penalty from Marie Höbinger gave Liverpool their first win of the Women’s Super League season at Brisbane Road on Sunday. The Reds’ thrilling 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur puts them up to fifth in the table, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference.

Spurs boss Robert Vilahamn named an unchanged side from the one that reduced a late draw away to Aston Villa last week. For Liverpool, there was a first start for Cornelia Kapocs.

Matt Beard’s visitors started brightly, with early chances for Jasmine Matthews and Olivia Smith a sign of their intent. The early pressure eventually told as Liverpool took the lead with 10 minutes gone, but it was a goal entirely of Tottenham’s own making.

Becky Spencer’s clearance landed straight at the feet of Kapocs, who had no hesitation to take the shot on. With the shot-stopper backpedaling, the Swede lofted a wonderful shot from all of 30 yards to the delight of the travelling Liverpool fans.

The Reds were in the ascendancy. Having squandered the lead in their opening two league games, they set about adding to their advantage. Sofie Lundgaard twisted and turned in the box before firing wide of Spencer’s right post shortly after the restart.

Own goals and set pieces spice things up

The second half started as the first had ended. with Liverpool looking the more likely to score next. Smith again tried her luck from a narrow angle, arrowing her shot high towards Spencer’s goal. The Jamaican international was equal to it to parry the ball away.

The first real bit of quality from Tottenham resulted in an equaliser with 10 minutes played. It was a move that started deep in the Spurs defensive third as Drew Spence dispossessed Fuka Nagano. With the free-flowing passing that has become the hallmark of Vilahamn’s Spurs, the ball was soon worked out to Jess Naz on the right-hand side of the Liverpool box. The England flier’s cross was turned into her own net by Reds skipper Taylor Hinds to the dismay of Beard.

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That galvanised the home side and they looked like a different team, moving the ball with ease. Martha Thomas drew a smart save from Rachel Laws on the hour mark following a slick move.

Liverpool stemmed the tide and regained their foothold in the game. With 15 minutes left, they retook the lead when Hunt was adjudged to have fouled Smith on the edge of the 18-yard box. Hunt was booked and Smith substituted off after receiving treatment. Up then stepped Höbinger to curl the ball over the wall and into the top corner past the despairing dive of Spencer.

Unlike with the first goal, Tottenham responded well. Laws produced a big save to deny Naz when she went through on goal. The pressure finally told on 83 minutes when Hunt turned Gemma Evans in the box and got a shot away that was turned past Laws by Gemma Bonner.

Liverpool snatch the three points

A second Liverpool own goal in a pulsating 20 minute spell. Tottenham poured forward in search of a winner. Beth England screwed a close-range shot wide in added time. A final twist in the tale unfolded as Liverpool were awarded a penalty deep in stoppage time. An Ash Neville push on Sophie Roman Haug turned the tables.

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It was a hugely contentious decision in the stadium. However, the referee held firm on the decision. Höbinger kept her cool to slot home the winner and break Tottenham hearts.

The win moves Liverpool into fifth place ahead of their clash with Manchester City at Anfield next weekend. Meanwhile, Tottenham take on the red half of Manchester as they visit United at Leigh Sports Village.

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