Women's Super League: Dominant Spurs move up to third with victory over Birmingham

Tottenham boss Rehanne Skinner praised her side's patience after a dominant second-half display saw them move up to third in the Women's Super League.

Ashleigh Neville pounced on a rebound and Ria Percival tapped home from close range to seal a deserved win.

Spurs are now four points off leaders Arsenal and just two behind Chelsea in second.

"There were times when it was a little bit physical, but that's to be expected," said Skinner.

The Spurs boss added: "Birmingham worked incredibly hard and they made us work for it. As the game evolved we started to get control of it in possession and started to create some good chances.

"We took the chances well when they came around, and a clean sheet away from home - I'm delighted with the three points."

She added that moving into the Champions League places ahead of the international break "was a great place to be".

It was a fourth successive loss for bottom side Birmingham, whose WSL survival hopes are hanging by a thread.

They are are seven points from safety, having played two games more than second-bottom Everton.

The Blues started brightly at St Andrew's, with Veatriki Sarri forcing Spurs goalkeeper Becky Spencer to push her effort from 20 yards around the post.

Tottenham had to be patient in attack in the first half. Jessica Naz almost found herself in on goal, but was forced wide before getting her shot away, while defender Shelina Zadorsky's header from a corner hit the side netting.

Birmingham goalkeeper Emily Ramsey was called upon multiple times in a strong second half for Spurs.

Striker Rachel Williams was inches away from putting the north London side ahead but, at full stretch, could not direct her header on target.

Neville proved the match-winner for Spurs, reacting quickest to a loose ball just after the hour mark following a save from Ramsey.

The Tottenham defender then hit the crossbar before Percival tapped in from close range to seal the three points.