Tottenham go third in WSL with win over Brighton

Cathinka Tandberg has scored three league goals since joining Tottenham in September

Cathinka Tandberg scored her third Women's Super League goal of the season as Tottenham beat Brighton to move third.

Jessica Naz's low cross in from the left evaded the Brighton defence and Tandberg was lurking at the back post to tap into the net.

There was a moment of controversy five minutes into the game when Japan defender Toko Koga took a poor touch in her own box, then slipped with Brighton closing in on goal.

She fell on top of the ball and it appeared to touch her arms but the referee waved away the Brighton players' appeals.

It was one of two penalties which Brighton manager Dario Vidosic felt his side should have been awarded, with the Australian calling for an improvement in the standard of officiating.

"I don't want to get in trouble [but] I think there's two clear penalties. First half and 100% one in the second half with Kiko [Seike] - [she] gets cleanly taken out from my view. Contact is there, clear contact," he said.

"Two points where we potentially go 2-0 up with a potential penalty, so it's quite frustrating.

"I want to get an explanation of some of the other calls as well. Felt it was quite inconsistent [and] even Tottenham can feel a little bit hard done by in some challenges. It just needs to improve."

Eveliina Summanen struck a fierce free-kick through the Brighton wall but Chiamaka Nnadozie palmed it away as the home side were unable to increase their lead.

Tottenham are level on points with second-placed Manchester City, while Brighton remain sixth in the table.

Analysis: Naz praise after difficult week, while Seagulls miss Kirby

Martin Ho's side have been in superb form this season, winning four of their five matches, only losing to Man City, who they are now level on points with.

They are a point above Manchester United, who have also started the campaign well.

Tottenham have only won four of their opening five WSL games once before, in the 2021-22 season. And they won just five league games in the entirety of last season, which further highlights marked improvements this term.

Impressively, the Lilywhites are continuing to win without goals from Bethany England, whose only strike this term came against West Ham on 7 September.

Tandberg, who joined from Swedish club Hammarby last month, has slotted into the Tottenham side with ease and got on the scoresheet again.

But it was Naz, causing problems for Brighton defenders Marisa Olislagers and Charlize Rule on the right and provider for Tandberg's goal, who manager Martin Ho singled out for praise.

"I thought it was one of Jess' best performances. [She was] very direct in her one v ones, positive in terms of her second phase movement behind the backline and put a wonderful cross in for Tandberg to finish," he told Sky Sports.

Naz's standout performance came a little over a week since she revealed she had been subjected to racial abuse on social media.

Tottenham captain England subsequently said her players have decided to stop taking the knee because the anti-racism gesture "no long feels meaningful".

On Sunday, Tottenham's players remained standing at kick-off, while the Brighton players took the knee.

Brighton struggled to create in the absence of the influential Fran Kirby, with forward Rosa Kafaji caught offside on three occasions.

It took 43 minutes for the visitors to register their first shot on target, when Rachel McLauchlan hooked an overhead kick towards goal from close range but it was easily saved by Lize Kop.

Koga made a superb block to deny Kiko Seike, who was bearing down on goal but Brighton were unable to find an equaliser.

What's next for both teams?

Tottenham face a challenging trip to defending champions Chelsea next Sunday, 12 October (12:00 BST), while Brighton travel to Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal on the same day (14:30 BST).

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