Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Bristol City: Tottenham record first win under new manager
- Published
- comments
Summer signing Olga Ahtinen scored her first goal for Tottenham with a sublime long-range strike
Tottenham secured their first victory under new boss Robert Vilahamn as they cruised past Women's Super League returnees Bristol City.
Summer signing Olga Ahtinen set Spurs on course for a comfortable afternoon when she hammered home the opener from range.
Martha Thomas scored her second in as many games after a mistimed clearance from Bristol goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese smashed off the Spurs striker's back and into the net.
Tottenham piled on the pressure and Eveliina Summanen extended their advantage on the stroke of half-time, curling a free-kick into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Tottenham responded to their narrow opening-day defeat by Chelsea with a breathless start to the game, dominating possession and sending waves of attacks into the final third.
Bristol improved after the second half as Spurs' intensity waned but the hosts remained mostly in command.
Amalie Thestrup pulled one back from the penalty spot after Summanen handled the ball in her own box but a comeback was out of reach for Bristol.
Bristol have now suffered defeats in their first two games since promotion back to the top flight.
Comfortable first win of new era
As a first victory under new management, the win for Tottenham could hardly have been more convincing.
Vilahamn took charge in the summer after interim manager Vicky Jepson steered Spurs seven points clear of safety following the sacking of Rehanne Skinner in March.
Star striker Bethany England remained absent after hip surgery in September but that was of little concern for the hosts with Thomas and Celin Bizet regularly troubling the Bristol defence.
Two moments of individual brilliance - and the assistance of a goalkeeping error - in a stellar first half helped to guide Spurs to victory and continue a strong start to the campaign after a hard-fought performance in their loss to Chelsea.
Promoted Bristol's return to life in the top flight gets no easier when they face title candidates Manchester City next weekend.
