**A first half finish from Fran Kirby was enough to see Brighton & Hove Albion past Tottenham Hotspur in the Women’s Super League (WSL).**
The loss at Brisbane Road Stadium marks Tottenham’s fourth consecutive league defeat for the first time since the reign of former head coach Rehanne Skinner. Spurs have now dropped to seventh place in the league standings, while the Seagulls maintain their fifth-place spot.
As for Brighton, the win in the capital marks the side’s first away victory since October 2024.
Tottenham were without captain and star forward Bethany England for the match, and her presence was sorely missed as Spurs failed to look lively going forward. Robert Vilahamn awarded Olivia Holdt her first WSL start after joining the club in January.
The Lineups
-----------
**TOT:** Kop; Morris, Bartrip, Bühler, Neville; Summanen, Spence, Holdt; Vinberg, Nildén, Thomas
**BHA:** Loeck; Pattinson, Thorisdottir, Bergsvand, Olislagers; Symonds, Noordam, Kirby; McLauchlan, Haley, Parris
The Action
----------
Tottenham came out the gates with strong intent at Brisbane Road, catalysing some promising attacking plays in order to ruffle the Seagulls feathers.
Marisa Olislagers swung in a promising corner in the closing stages of the opening half, but it was Spurs goalkeeper Lize Kop who denied the Olimpico.
Olislagers was ready to pounce against the run of play, sending a strike from 25 yards toward the net. A strong hand from Kop was enough to deter the flight of the ball in attempt to preserve the stalemate heading into the break.
The Seagulls stole their moment just before the strike of half time as Rachel McLauchlan cut it back to Fran Kirby inside of the area. The cool finish awarded Brighton the lead and marked Kirby’s first ever WSL goal against Tottenham Hotspur.
[Embed from Getty Images](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2205392605)
Brighton looked eager to extend their league as the second half commenced, mounting the pressure on the Tottenham defence. Nikita Parris was awarded a chance to double the lead, but swung her close range strike wide of the goalposts.
Robert Vilahamn attempted to inject some energy into his lacklustre side, bringing both Jess Naz and Lenna Gunning-Williams into the action. Naz was first to look lively, as her cross from close range forced Brighton to concede a corner. Despite the positive opportunity, the set play didn’t transpire into anything of weight as Melina Loeck collected the entry with ease.
Tottenham were able to turn the tempo in their favour as the clock ran down, but failed to utilise possession effectively. Ella Morris was awarded an opportunity in the channel late in the fixture, but swung her far chance just over the crossbar.
It was the Seagulls who were able to steal the win on the road, dominating the run of play. Tottenham offered up just two shots to Brighton’s 14, clearly out-ran and out-played on the occasion.
_The Halfway Line_ Player of the Match – Ella Morris
----------------------------------------------------