West Ham United fell to a penalty shoot-out defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur after a thrilling 2-2 match in 90 minutes.
Having gone two goals behind through Rianna Dean and Josie Green scoring to Spurs, West Ham had Rush Green Stadium rocking as both Martha Thomas and Kenza Dali scored in added-time at the end of the second half to earn the Irons a share of the points.
As per FA Women’s Continental League Cup rules, a penalty shoot-out followed, which Tottenham won 4-2, meaning the away side take two points from Sunday’s match while the Hammers must settle for one.
For the second time in three weeks, West Ham hosted London rivals Spurs. Having been beaten in the home league game at London Stadium, Matt Beard’s side were eager to get one over their Sunday opponents.
The Hammers enjoyed the best of the early exchanges. It was captain Gilly Flaherty who looked like opening the scoring. Staying up in a dangerous area after a West Ham corner, the centre-back was in the perfect place to receive Jacynta Galabadaarachchi’s cut-back. The defender will feel she should have scored, instead turning over from around 12 yards out.
Anna Moorhouse, in for Courtney Brosnan, was called upon to deny Rianna Dean, before excellent work from Galabadaarachchi resulted in another chance for the home side. This time, the No15’s cross was met by Kate Longhurst, who could only turn her header over.
Megan Wynne hit the cross-back from a looping cross, while the Irons threatened again through Flaherty and Kenza Dali.
With five minutes to go until half-time, West Ham’s clearest chance fell to Adriana Leon. Alisha Lehmann’s cross was well met by the Canadian international but somehow, her header was kept out by Chloe Morgan. Seconds later, Leon tried again, as a powerful effort went narrowly wide of the top corner.
Seven minutes into the second half, and Tottenham Hotspur took the lead. Coral-Jade Haines had a powerful shot, which Moorhouse could only get a hand on to palm away, with Dean tucking home on the rebound.
West Ham looked to fight back as Leon volleyed over from Baunach’s corner, while Kate Longhurst’s unbelievable looping cross crashed away off the cross-bar.
Martha Thomas was introduced up front, and the No9 went close with a deft headed attempt, but the shot was somehow kept out, and Spurs made the Irons pay with a second moments later, as Graham fired home from the edge of the area.
Thomas looked to half the deficit, seeing a shot on from 18 yards just turned away, but the substitute made no mistake as the game ticked over into extra time, latching on to Moorhouse’s long pass and squeezing the ball between Morgan’s legs. The game was on.
With seconds left on the clock, West Ham won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. It was do or die time. There were no second chances.
The cool and confident Dali made no mistake. Showing her quality, the France international bended home a sensational effort that sent Rush Green Stadium into absolute delirium. West Ham had levelled, and the game was heading to penalties.
With an extra point to play for, Spurs stepped up first. Chloe Peplow made no mistake, while Flaherty could not find the net, giving the away side the early advantage. Next for Tottenham was Lucy Quinn, who also made no mistake. Katharina Baunach was second for West Ham, and her powerful shot found the roof of the net,
Kit Graham’s shot was excellently saved by Moorhouse, giving West Ham the chance to level the shoot-out. Leon’s effort was also saved however, giving Spurs the two-one advantage after three penalties apiece.
Dean netted Tottenham’s fourth and Dali did the same for West Ham, meaning the home side needed Rachel Furness to miss. She did no such thing, sending the extra point with Tottenham Hotspur.
West Ham United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
(Tottenham win 4-2 on penalties)
West Ham United: Moorhouse; Redisch Kvamme, Flaherty (c), Hendrix, Baunach; Middag (Cho 69), Longhurst (Kiszkis 77), Dali; Lehmann (Thomas 57), Galabadaarachchi, Leon
Subs not used: Brosnan
Goals: Thomas 90, Dali 90+3
Tottenham Hotspur: Morgan; Leon (Percival 76), Green, Filby, Pelow, Dean, Haines (Furness 84), Schillaci, Wynne (Graham 66), Worm, Quinn
Subs not used: Addison, Spencer, Godfrey, Neville
Goals: Dean 52, Graham 83
Attendance: 749