Match reportLiverpool win at Tottenham in WSL with Marie Höbinger's stoppage-time pen
Liverpool FC Women registered their first victory of the 2024-25 season thanks to Marie Höbinger's stoppage-time penalty at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The midfielder got her second goal of the afternoon by converting a spot-kick with 95 minutes on the clock at Brisbane Road to clinch a 3-2 win in the Barclays Women's Super League.
Cornelia Kapocs had put the Reds 1-0 up with a stunning long-range effort before a Taylor Hinds own goal levelled proceedings near the hour mark.
A perfectly placed free-kick from Höbinger had Matt Beard's team ahead again, though Clare Hunt's equaliser in minute 88 then set up the late drama.
It was no surprise Liverpool went on to establish an early lead, having made a bright start that included Olivia Smith going close inside four minutes.
Kapocs intercepted Rebecca Spencer's kick out from the back and, spotting the goalkeeper off her line, floated an exquisite effort over her from all of 30 yards out to open her account for the club.
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The visitors then had opportunities to increase their advantage through Smith, Gemma Bonner and Sofie Lundgaard, who was later forced off with an injury that drew serious concern from her teammates.
Beard's side returned from the half-time interval with a similar level of attacking intent. A corner kick, earned when Smith's shot from a tight angle was pushed over, was met by Bonner and her goalbound header was flicked onto the post by Spurs' Amanda Nilden.
Frustratingly, the hosts levelled a few moments later. Hinds looked to clear Jessica Naz's low delivery from the right but couldn't connect cleanly and inadvertently poked beyond Rachael Laws.
The complexion of the contest had changed following the equaliser, with Laws needed to keep out a hit from Martha Thomas.
As a result, Beard introduced Jenna Clark, Mia Enderby and deployed a formation tweak in an attempt to stem the Tottenham tide.
A well-worked Liverpool move ended with Smith finding the wrong side of the net, while Maite Oroz fired wide at the other end.
That was before the Reds restored their lead entering the final quarter of an hour. Again, Spencer was left with no chance, unable to get close to Höbinger's dead-ball strike that flew into the top-right corner.
Laws denied Naz in a one-v-one, though Spurs' strong response eventually brought them level once more. Hunt's shot from the right-hand side of the penalty area took a significant deflection off Bonner to beat Laws.
But there would be a decisive moment right at the end of the topsy-turvy second period.
Ashleigh Neville was ruled to have fouled Sophie Roman Haug when she looked to meet Leanne Kiernan's ball into the box. Höbinger put just enough on the penalty kick, which Spencer got a glove on, to end a dramatic afternoon.
Team
Laws, Parry, Bonner, Matthews (Clark, 62), Hinds, Nagano, Höbinger, Lundgaard (Evans, 32), Smith (Kiernan, 74), Roman H., Kapocs (Enderby, 62).
Unused subs: Fahey, Daniels, Silcock.
Next up
Next weekend will see Liverpool play the first of their three WSL fixtures at Anfield in 2024-25.
Manchester City arrive in L4 for a 3pm BST kick-off and tickets – priced at £10 for adults and £4 for juniors – are still available to purchase here.
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