Man City hit five at Spurs as Clinton shines on debut

Grace Clinton claimed a goal and an assist on her Manchester City debut as they cruised past Tottenham at Brisbane Road.

It was the first time since March 2024 the Blues have registered successive Women's Super League wins as they ruthlessly ended their hosts' unbeaten start to the campaign.

After a nervy opening quarter of an hour, Andree Jeglertz's side suffered a blow as England forward Lauren Hemp limped off in the 22nd minute.

The two-time Euros winner appeared to roll her ankle making a tackle on Jessica Naz, before watching the second half from the bench in a protective boot.

However, the visitors quickly rallied, scoring three goals in 20 minutes to seize control of the contest.

First Aoba Fujino popped up on the edge of the box to rifle a shot into the top corner, adding the final flourish to a sweeping team move.

Facing an onslaught of City pressure, Tottenham collapsed, as Vivianne Miedema glanced home a corner to make it 2-0 in the 39th minute, before Kerstin Casparij headed the third two minutes before half-time.

Having been stunned into submission in the first half, Spurs started the second brightly before being pushed back once again by the visitors, led by Hemp's replacement Kerolin Nicoli.

Khadija Shaw had the chance to add to her 12-goal career tally against the hosts after defender Clare Hunt sent Fujino sprawling in the box. Yet the City striker was denied by a strong stop from Spurs keeper Lize Kop.

Clinton, a signing on deadline day from Manchester United, joined the action in the 65th minute and made an instant impact.

The England midfielder came on to cheers from both sets of fans, having spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Tottenham. But she upset her old club when she slid home the fourth goal with 10 minutes to go.

Olivia Holdt smashed home a Spurs consolation in the 87th minute, before Clinton made another key contribution, turning provider for Laura Coombs to curl into the far corner for the fifth City goal in stoppage time.

Man City analysis: Hemp injury overshadows ruthless display

Having been wasteful in their 2-1 win over Brighton last week, City ruined Tottenham's hopes of keeping a third successive clean sheet with a devastating finishing display.

Eight shots, four on target and three goals in just the first half.

Clinton added further woe in a superb 30-minute cameo to the delight of her new club's fans who had made the trip to Brisbane Road.

That said, City were left sweating on the fitness of influential attacker Hemp.

Boss Jeglertz told Sky Sports afterwards: "She is very sad, we are also sad, but we need to see what happens in the coming days. After, we can make some kind of adjustment."

While Brazilian Kerolin proved an able deputy on the left, the loss of Hemp for any significant period of time would disrupt City.

With Mary Fowler also on the sidelines, there would be greater pressure on Kerolin and Fujino, who have only just returned from injury themselves.

With a significant injury crisis hurting City's hopes of success in the previous campaign - Hemp herself missed five months with knee trouble - the Blues could ill afford a repeat just as they start to build momentum.

Tottenham analysis: Ho frustrated as defence crumbles

Spurs boss Martin Ho was captured shaking his head in disbelief in the home dugout during the first half.

Having allowed just one shot on target across their first two league games, a 1-0 win against West Ham and 2-0 victory at Everton, his side were helpless at times against their aggressive, attack-minded opponents.

Ho's mood turned to frustration and anger as a once solid defence crumbled.

That will worry Ho, a coach renowned for his defensive acumen, and who had made a good start following his summer appointment.

Back-to-back clean sheets before this thrashing had shown a massive improvement for a side that conceded the second-highest number of goals (44) in the WSL last term.

Spurs struggled to deal with both City's frontline as well as creating chances of their own. Holdt's late strike will provide scant consolation and was just one of six shots in the game.

Ho will want an improvement at both ends when his side face Aston Villa in the League Cup in midweek.

What's next for these teams?

The League Cup group stage begins in midweek, with both Tottenham and Manchester City in action on Wednesday 24 September.

Spurs host Aston Villa at Brisbane Road (19:00 BST), while Man City welcome Everton to Joie Stadium (19:00 BST).

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