West Ham 2-2 Tottenham: Beth England underlines Lionesses credentials in draw
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England has scored 11 times in 21 international appearances and was an unused substitute in last July's Euros final win over Germany
Beth England continued her stunning run of goalscoring form, taking her tally to 13 goals in 11 club appearances to help Tottenham earn a final-day draw at West Ham in the Women's Super League.
The 28-year-old, who hopes to be included in the England squad for this summer's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, headed the opener for Spurs at a sunny and sold-out Chigwell Construction Stadium.
She was also on hand to nod in again early in the second half - again, from a Rosella Ayane cross - to bring Spurs level at 2-2.
Between the two England goals, West Ham had turned the game in their favour, with Emma Snerle capitalising on a defensive lapse to curl the equaliser before swinging in a free-kick that Kit Graham headed into her own net.
There were chances for both sides to win the London derby - with England flashing a shot for a hat-trick just wide - but neither could find the net to claim end-of-season bragging rights.
The draw ensures West Ham finish eighth in the table, three points ahead of Tottenham, who end a disappointing season in ninth.
Kate Longhurst was a late substitute for West Ham, making the final appearance of her impressive five-year spell with the club.
However, the 34-year-old was prevented from drawing level with Kerys Harrop as the WSL's record appearance maker by virtue of the Spurs defender coming on to make play her 182nd game.
England makes compelling case for World Cup spot
It has been a humbling campaign for Tottenham - one which they started with genuine hopes of breaking into the top three, but ended scrambling to safety on the penultimate weekend before finishing three places and seven points off bottom spot.
However, in striker England, they have a huge silver lining - one around which they will hope to rebuild and come again as a potential challenger at the other end of the WSL table.
Strong, intelligent and, most importantly, utterly ruthless in front of goal, England has not stopped scoring since moving across London from Chelsea to Spurs in January.
Saturday's game was another fine example of why she left the club with whom she had won four WSL titles - but only started two games this season - for one that can give her game time and showcase her talents.
Both of her goals were a masterclass in being in the right place at the right time, the first requiring her to expertly steer the ball home, the second a more routine nodded finish.
Spurs must now work out if interim boss Vicky Jepson is the manager to take them forward, and then how they can recruit to improve the squad around their star forward.
For England, surely Australia and New Zealand beckons as Sarina Wiegman's national side look to add a maiden World Cup to their Euro crown.
Something to build on for Hammers
West Ham ended their long wait for a first win of 2023 last weekend at Leicester.
Their last victory prior to that came against Saturday's opponents, way back on 11 December - which lifted the Hammers up to fifth in the table and gave them real hope of their highest ever WSL finish.
The subsequent 10-game slump put paid to that, meaning they have failed to match last season's top-half finish, but what has been a stiff learning curve for boss Paul Konchesky in his debut season should put them in better stead for 2023-24.
In evidence on Saturday were signs of the brand of fluent, attacking football that Konchesky is trying to instil in his side.
They were the better team in the first half, despite falling behind, and deservedly reversed the one-goal lead thanks to the excellent Snerle and a helping head from Graham.
They could not maintain their momentum but were able to come again towards the end, with Lisa Evans denied a winner by a fine save from Rebecca Spencer, who also had to be gutsy to dive in to stop the Hammers scoring from a goalmouth scramble.
The hosts will now hope for a more settled close season than last summer, before looking to challenge in the top half.
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