‘It was huge for us’, says England after pivotal Spurs win before Arsenal duel

In: Sport

BETHANY ENGLAND admits it was a relief to deliver “a bit of magic” to help Tottenham end a run of nine losses on the bounce. 

The hotshot’s wonder strike saw her side claim maximum points with a 1-0 defeat of Leicester ten days before their duel with Arsenal. 

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Bethany England’s stunning strike proved be decisive for Tottenham as they sealed their first win in the WSL this yearCredit: Getty
Vicky Jepson and her players leapfrogged Reading to go tenth before their home clash with Arsenal

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Vicky Jepson and her players leapfrogged Reading to go tenth before their home clash with ArsenalCredit: Getty
Spurs 1-0 win saw them claim their first win in the top tier since their 8-0 defeat of Brighton on October 30

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Spurs 1-0 win saw them claim their first win in the top tier since their 8-0 defeat of Brighton on October 30Credit: Getty

It also led Spurs, with interim gaffer Vicky Jepson in charge, to pick up a first win in the league since October 30 and following the sacking of Rehanne Skinner on Monday.

And the morale-boosting victory on Wednesday saw the Londoners open up a five point gap on the rock-bottom Foxes who play Aston Villa next.

England admitted: “I wouldn’t say it was the best goal I’ve scored but I would say it is one of the most important.

“It was huge for us as we needed a bit of magic and I am so proud I was able to bring that.

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“I honestly wouldn’t have cared how that ball went into the back of the net because we just needed it so badly.

“There was composure once we did go ahead  to settle the game. We handled that very well. 

“I could not be prouder of the team and also the fans who got behind us and turned up in the rubbish weather because we needed that after the last few days that we’ve had.”

Before the match, Jepson spoke of her players wanting to put things right following a string of losses dating back 

The Foxes threatened early in a scrappy opening half, with Hannah Cain’s cross claimed by keeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela.

From then on, the most of the best attacking chances fell to the hosts, with Rosella Ayane impressing on the flank.

The forward whipped in a dangerous cross that fizzed past the post near the half-hour mark.

And Drew Spence almost put England through but the striker was offside, before Eveliina Summanen headed wide on the stroke of half-time.

Leicester will hope to bounce back from a second loss in their past four games when they visit Aston Villa on March 26

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Leicester will hope to bounce back from a second loss in their past four games when they visit Aston Villa on March 26Credit: Getty

Leicester went close to scoring with loan ace Ruby Mace striking the woodwork shortly moments before England’s opener. 

But the deadlock was broken in the 65th minute as Ayane teed up the striker  to curl in a superb top corner shot from 18 yards out.

The result saw Tottenham leapfrog Reading to go ninth ahead of the north London derby next weekend.