Cathinka Tandberg celebrates scoring for Tottenham against Leicester in the Women's Super LeagueImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Cathinka Tandberg scored her second goal for Tottenham

At a glance

  • Cathinka Tandberg the scoring for Tottenham

  • Olivia Holdt doubles lead

  • Sam Tierney nets Leicester consolation

  • PLAYER RATER

Tottenham beat Leicester in the Women's Super League thanks to two first-half goals at King Power Stadium.

Cathinka Tandberg, who joined earlier this month, poked Spurs in front from close range after a mistake by Olivia McLoughlin.

Olivia Holdt increased Tottenham's lead six minutes later, latching on to Eveliina Summanen's pass and brilliantly chipping the ball over Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig.

The hosts reduced the deficit before the break when Sam Tierney tapped in at the back post from Hannah Cain's dangerous ball, but could not find an equaliser.

The result meant Tottenham returned to winning ways after a 5-1 defeat by Manchester City in their last WSL match.

Victory moved them to fourth in the table, with Leicester eighth.

Analysis: Tottenham rewarded for bright start

Tottenham bounced back brilliantly from their first WSL defeat of the season to make this the third time they have won three of their first four games in the competition.

Martin Ho's side started brightly, pressuring their opponents and creating chances.

It took 15 minutes for them to get their reward, with their high pressing forcing Leicester into a mistake.

Janice Cayman tried to play the ball out but gave it to Jessica Naz, whose cross was poked into Tandberg by McLoughlin.

Holdt's brilliant chip ultimately secured the win for the away side, and her performance characterised Tottenham's approach to the match.

The Denmark international - making her first start since the opening day of the season - influenced the game at both ends. She scored with her only shot on target and registered a passing accuracy of 83.3% in the final third.

Holdt, meanwhile, had six passes in the final third - second only to Naz and Tandberg, who both had seven - and was named player of the match.

Leicester, who have won only one of their matches so far this season, were punished for a sloppy start.

Cain was the main bright spark for the hosts, putting dangerous crosses into the box and having a shot that looked destined for the net blocked by Clare Hunt.

But she looked to be in some discomfort after a challenge from Hunt, and was substituted in the 73rd minute.

What's next for both teams?

Leicester host Everton in the WSL next Sunday (11:55 BST), with Tottenham welcoming Brighton to Brisbane Road at the same time.

Player of the match

Number: 11 O. Holdt
Average rating 7.93
Number: 3 S. Tierney
Average Rating: 5.43
Number: 12 A. Ale
Average Rating: 5.38
Number: 21 H. Cain
Average Rating: 5.00
Number: 1 J. Leitzig
Average Rating: 4.92
Number: 8 J. Rantala
Average Rating: 4.90
Number: 23 O. McLoughlin
Average Rating: 4.85
Number: 9 N. Mouchon
Average Rating: 4.56
Number: 15 H. Payne
Average Rating: 4.54
Number: 17 J. Thibaud
Average Rating: 4.46
Number: 5 E. van Egmond
Average Rating: 4.46
Number: 14 H. Eiríksdóttir
Average Rating: 4.46
Number: 27 S. O’Brien
Average Rating: 4.40
Number: 2 S. Kees
Average Rating: 4.31
Number: 31 C. Swaby
Average Rating: 4.20
Number: 11 J. Cayman
Average Rating: 4.00

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

A graphic that reads 'Follow our women's football TikTok' with a picture of a mobile phone