Despite having played against each other competitively prior to this fixture, this afternoon saw the debut of the North London Derby in the Women’s Super League.

Not only a historic occasion for both clubs, but for Spurs their first game at the newly built Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

Spurs could have had three or four goals in the second half, coming agonisingly close on multiple occasions.

A valiant effort from the home side quickly undone by a moment of class from Kim Little to fire Arsenal in front after the hour mark.

Vivianne Miedema sealed the victory for the visitors late on, rounding the goalkeeper and firing home in front of the away end.

While North London remains Red, Spurs found themselves setting a new attendance record for the Super League – a total of 38,262 fans making the trip to see them.

A first-half full of chances

With a healthy amount of tickets sold and even rumours of a sold-out venue, both clubs emerged from the tunnel under the floodlights of the Spurs stadium to play their part in history.

Unsurprisingly, Arsenal dominated the opening period of the game bearing down on Spencer’s goal at every possible chance.

Their closest effort on goal came in the 17th minute when Mead found herself through on goal after a resilient run – her effort, however, sailed wide.

After a somewhat reluctant opening 20, Spurs started to come into their own and Rianna Dean almost found herself through on goal but for a brilliant last-ditch tackle from 22-year-old Leah Williamson.

After half an hour, Hills’ side went close twice again in quick succession – the first through Kit Graham whose effort crept just over despite almost the full stadium thinking it was in.

The second came from Dean yet again who found herself in on goal, doing well to get a shot away despite being at a tight angle but her right-footed effort flashed wide of Zinsberger’s goal.

For the best part of the first half, it looked as though Tottenham would be the ones to go on and win the game as Arsenal struggled to get a foothold despite starting strong.  


Second half joy

Spurs picked up where the left off when they came out for the second half, immediately going on the attack towards Arsenal’s goal – this time coming close through a headed effort that found its way just over the bar.

Within 10 minutes of the second half starting, Arsenal began to really step their game up and pin Spurs into their own half.

Miedema came close first but her effort strayed wide of Spencer’s goal.

Seven minutes later, though, Arsenal finally found their breakthrough and it was club captain Kim Little who stepped up.

Little did well to get the ball under control but was allowed far too much room just outside the box and her effort flew into the bottom corner of the goal.

One goal wasn’t enough for Arsenal, continuing to push on and pile the pressure on the Spurs defence. 

But the away end had to wait until the 80th minute to see Miedema through on goal, round Spencer and fire home to secure the win for the visitors.

Despite finding themselves two goals down, Spurs continued to press on in search of a chance to pull things back.

In the end, it wasn’t to be for the home side, who saw themselves set a new FA Women’s Super League attendance with 38,262 spectators packed inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.