Everton Women’s debut at Goodison Park ended in a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, with Cathinka Tandberg’s stunning lob and Olga Ahtinen’s first-half goal securing the win for Spurs. Despite a positive atmosphere, Everton struggled to break down a resolute Tottenham defence.
A new chapter unfolded at Goodison Park for Everton Women, but the occasion was marred by a 2-0 defeat against a clinical Tottenham Hotspur side. The match marked the beginning of Everton’s permanent residency at the historic stadium, yet the celebratory atmosphere was dampened by a performance that lacked the spark needed to overcome a determined Spurs outfit.
The defining moment of the match arrived in the 51st minute when Cathinka Tandberg, on her first start for Tottenham, unleashed a stunning lob over Courtney Brosnan from 35 yards. The audacious strike, reminiscent of a goal straight from a dream, sent the travelling Tottenham supporters into raptures and effectively sealed the fate of the home side.
Tottenham had laid the foundation for their victory with a composed first-half display, culminating in a 27th-minute opener courtesy of Olga Ahtinen. A clever one-two with Tandberg unlocked the Everton defence, allowing Ahtinen to slot the ball past Brosnan with precision. The goal was a testament to Tottenham’s attacking fluidity and their ability to exploit spaces in the Everton midfield.
The match wasn’t without its moments for Everton. Ruby Mace’s deflected shot forced a save from the Tottenham goalkeeper, while Rosa van Gool’s curling effort sailed narrowly over the bar. However, these glimpses of attacking intent were insufficient to break down a resolute Tottenham defence, marshalled effectively by their experienced backline.
Tottenham’s dominance extended beyond their goals. They consistently pressed Everton high up the pitch, disrupting their build-up play and forcing errors. Bethany England’s headed effort and Drew Spence’s late save showcased Tottenham’s continued threat, even as the match neared its conclusion.
The atmosphere at Goodison Park was undeniably positive, with a crowd of 6,473 eager to witness the dawn of a new era for Everton Women. The stands resonated with familiar chants, including the iconic “Spirit of the Blues,” as fans rallied behind their team. The club has invested significantly in rebranding the stadium, with a timeline of the women’s team’s history proudly displayed along Goodison Road and new banners proclaiming “Goodison Park, the home of Everton Women.”
Despite the result, Everton manager Brian Sorensen acknowledged the significance of the occasion. “The club has done a magnificent job,” he said. “It looks like our home and it looks good, so I’m happy for women’s football in this part of England, that we have a platform like this. Of course, we want to do better. I don’t know if it was the occasion. But it’s on me to make sure they’re 100% ready, and they weren’t.”
Tottenham manager Martin Ho, a former Everton academy player and assistant coach, expressed his delight at returning to Goodison Park. “Coming back here was an unbelievable feeling,” he said. “As soon as you come in here, you do feel intimidated because the stadium is quite enclosed. And that’s one thing I said to the players before the game, was ‘we have to expect it to be a bit hostile’, and I thought the fans were brilliant.”
Tandberg’s spectacular goal was the talking point of the match, with former England striker Ellen White describing it as “absolutely ridiculous” on live television. Tandberg herself revealed that she had attempted a similar lob in training and was delighted to see it come off in a competitive match. “When I get those moments I have to do what I like and that’s scoring goals, so ‘go for it’,” she said.
This victory marked Tottenham’s second consecutive win under Ho, solidifying their position as early contenders in the Women’s Super League. For Everton, it was a sobering reminder that translating potential into results requires consistency and a greater level of performance. The journey at Goodison Park has begun, but the road ahead will undoubtedly be challenging.
