View: A Finnish revolution is underway for Tottenham Women after first WSL win of the season
Finland international midfielders Olga Ahtinen and Eveliina Summanen both shone as Tottenham Women picked up their first win of the WSL season.
Despite losing 2-1 on the opening day to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, there were plenty of positives for Robert Vilahamn to take from his side’s performance and they built on those by beating Bristol City 3-1 at home on Sunday (8 October).
Ahtinen and Summanen in particular stood out, with the latter grabbing a goal and an assist while the former scored her first in the colours of Lilywhite.
Summanen joined Spurs in January of 2022 and had a positive season for the club last time out, scoring three times while registering three assists.
Against Bristol City, the 25-year-old demonstrated that she is ready to build on those foundations during her second full season in North London. She set up her international teammate to open the scoring and added the third just before half-time.
In addition to her goal and assist, Summanen completed 87 per cent of her passes, with two of those being key, won two of her three ground duels and four of her five aerial duels and earned an 8.1 match rating, the highest of any player on the pitch (Sofascore).
Vilahamn would have been especially pleased with the understanding between Summanen and fellow Finnish midfielder Ahtinen, who joined the club this summer. As well as her goal, Ahtinen completed 82 per cent of her passes, with two of those being key and made three clearances.
Spurs are showing that they can score in the absence of star striker Beth England, finding the back of the net four times in two games so far this season, with Martha Thomas grabbing her second of the campaign during the win on Sunday.
Tottenham supporters will be hopeful this season is more positive than the last, and if Ahtinen and Summanen’s relationship can continue to develop into something special, there is no telling what the team can achieve this year.
In other Tottenham news, ex-Spurs scout Bryan King has provided his player ratings from the men’s team’s win at Luton Town.