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.
“She should be pleased with that for her first game,” said Spurs boss Martin Ho.
“We have only seen flashes of her today. I know what she can deliver, and she knows what she can deliver.”
Leicester looked the better side after Gaupset was withdrawn with 25 minutes left to play, but were again denied by Kop when Noemie Mouchon looked for the bottom corner after powering into the box.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 past 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.
Although she didn’t mark her debut with a goal or assist, new signing Gaupset showed glimpses of her undoubted talent.
She went straight into the starting XI and looked right at home, so much so that she was named player of the match.
Gaupset should have scored early in the second half following some neat link-up play with Holdt and England, but ran on to the former’s through-ball slightly too early and was caught offside before Clark saved her effort.
Until her substitution the Norway international led her side for shots and touches in the opposition box, and looked like creating something whenever she was on the ball.
“It’s fun to be part of this team finally,” said Gaupset, who also worked under Spurs boss Ho at Brann.
“Everyone has been really nice and taken good care of me. I’m excited to be part of this amazing team.
“[The WSL] is more competitive than in Norway, it’s a good challenge and fun to be part of. We will keep developing and become a better team.”
Gaupset could have joined several European heavyweights, including Lyon and Real Madrid, but chose to reunite with Ho, whose only concern in the victory will be that his side lost momentum after her withdrawal.
“She [Gaupset] is adjusting to the team, the players, new environment, new culture and making sure when she gets on the pitch she plays with a bit of freedom because when she does she is at her best,” added Ho.
“It’s really important that she settles in quickly because you have games coming thick and fast and she will want to be part of that.”
With Spurs now only behind Arsenal on goal difference, Gaupset will clearly be key to their hopes of securing Champions League football come the end of the season.
While their wait for a WSL away win continues, there is no denying boss Rick Passmoor is putting his stamp on his side.
The Foxes looked defensively organised for much of the match, which made Neville’s unfortunate own goal all the more frustrating.
Her arrival heralded a switch-around at the back, with Sarah Mayling and her operating as wing-backs.
That system allowed the visitors to counter-attack at pace down the flanks and, on another day, Cain and Van Egmond might have taken the chances that came their way.
With a league-low seven goals in 12 games, scoring is still clearly an issue – as is the reliance on O’Brien to provide them – but Leicester’s identity is becoming clearer with every match as Passmoor’s players gain a greater understanding of their gameplan and style.
