Signe Gaupset impressed on her Women’s Super League debut as Tottenham defeated Leicester City to boost their push for a Champions League place.
An own goal from former Spurs defender Ashleigh Neville settled the outcome for the hosts, who already have more points than they earned in the entirety of last season and moving them alongside third-placed Arsenal in the table.
Neville left Spurs for Leicester on Thursday after almost a decade in north London, but could do nothing when Foxes goalkeeper Olivia Clark punched a corner against her head and in.
Leicester were happy to sit back and play on the counter, twice forcing Lize Kop into smart saves through Emily van Egmond and Hannah Cain before the break.
The second half continued in similar fashion, with midfielder Gaupset orchestrating Tottenham’s attacks and combining brilliantly with Olivia Holdt and Bethany England.
The Norwegian international, 20, has joined from Brann and is widely regarded as one of the world’s most exciting young talents.
Leicester looked the better side after Gaupset was withdrawn with 25 minutes left to play, but were again denied by Kop when Noemie Mouchon looked for the bottom corner after powering into the box.
Substitute Mouchon looked to turn provider shortly after, but Shannon O’Brien – scorer of Leicester’s last three WSL goals – fired narrowly wide from her cross.
Despite their sharp build-up play, Spurs did not muster a shot on target until the 81st minute when Clark pushed away an England header.
They wrestled back control thereafter, with Clare Hunt hitting the woodwork and Toko Koga firing wide when it looked easier to score.
Tottenham stretched their unbeaten home record in the WSL this season to seven games, with only Manchester City (21) earning more points at home than their 16 this term.
Despite a positive performance, Leicester’s winless run away from home extended to 22 WSL games.
