Tottenham Women must look to make Grace Clinton a permanent addition after what she did v West Ham
There was a lot to unpack in Tottenham Hotspur Women’s 4-3 win over West Ham Women, but it was Grace Clinton’s stunning performance which stood out above all.
Spurs made it three wins on the bounce as they edged out a thriller with their London rivals away from home at the Chigwell Construction Stadium on Sunday 21 January.
It was their first taste of WSL action since their historic first-ever victory over Arsenal Women when they beat the Gunners 1-0 in the North London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 16 December.
Over a month later they made it back-to-back wins in the competition, which now leaves them unbeaten in their last four matches, and Robert Vilahamn will know that he has a real star on his hands in the form of on-loan ace Grace Clinton.
The 20-year-old midfielder, on loan from Manchester United Women, demonstrated against the Hammers that she has a bright future ahead. Clinton joined Spurs ahead of the 2023/24 season getting underway (Tottenham Hotspur Official Website, 14 August), and has so far scored four goals and provided two assists in 10 WSL appearances.
Two of those four goals came against West Ham as she inspired her side to victory with a memorable display.
She gave Spurs the lead after just six minutes, and after the home side had equalised half an hour later through Risa Shimizu, Clinton turned provider, as she played Celin Bizet in with a pinpoint ball, with Bizet finishing to restore Spurs’ lead just before half-time.
Clinton struck again three minutes after the break with a wonderful finish from 20 yards out, and despite West Ham clawing back to 3-3, Spurs were able to win the rollercoaster match when Jessica Naz found the bottom corner from the edge of the box with 75 minutes played.
Vilahamn will certainly be hoping after this performance that Spurs can make Clinton’s stay in North London a permanent one.
As well as her two goals and assist, the midfielder played two key passes, was successful with 10 of her 12 dribbles, made six tackles, three interceptions and played one accurate cross into the box (Sofascore).
Vilahamn was full of praise for Clinton after the match, stating (via Tottenham Hotspur Official Website, 21 January), “She never lost the ball, carried it very well and made the right decisions – she has developed so much. She has been shining all week and was so nice to see her show that in the game.”
It was an evening to remember for the youngster who has taken to life at Hotspur Way like a duck to water, and for those Spurs supporters, the old saying of never fall in love with a loan player might be difficult to avoid on this occasion.
Clinton and Tottenham will be back in action and looking to build on their impressive momentum when they take on Southampton Women in the FA Women’s League Cup on Thursday 25 January.
In other Tottenham news, Ange Postecoglou has some cause for concern after one Spurs man struggled while away on international duty.
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