Tottenham Hotspur fell to derby day defeat on Sunday afternoon, as a close range finish from Alessia Russo proved enough to bring the Gunners over the line in front of 60,050 spectators at Emirates Stadium.

20 year-old Grace Clinton digested the afternoon as she spoke to The Halfway Line after the final whistle, describing the performance as “positive” despite the deficit result.

Clinton expressed, “The gap is closing between the two teams, I feel like. We had some good chances ourselves, we defended with our lives again. Yeah, [it’s] tough one to take.”

Despite having scrounged a brave victory in December’s meeting with the Gunners, Tottenham were on the receiving end of a small losing margin in yesterday’s reverse fixture. Despite the loss arriving with difficult circumstances to swallow, such defeat goes to show the effective project being built at Hotspur Way.

The reverse fixture played host to a brilliant episode of the Grace Clinton show, as the 20 year-old came out on top of her left-side battles with Katie McCabe and Beth Mead. Sunday was no different, though this time it seemed as if Jonas Eidevall’s Gunners may have been made particular aware of her firepower. McCabe found herself touch-tight to Clinton in the battle, something that the Spurs midfielder reflected on in a circumspect fashion.

“Everyone knows what she [McCabe] is like, she can be a feisty character. So just not going to give her much, just do my own thing and not get in that fight with her and give her what she wants. She’s a good player, so to be up against the best is nice.”

Tottenham’s 2022/23 campaign saw them fall to miserable defeat in both encounters with the Gunners, having conceded nine goals across 180 minutes last season. The juxtaposition in results is a firm display of what Robert Vilahamn is building, something that Clinton touched on passionately.

“From where we’ve come from and where we’ve progressed, it’s massive. But [we’ve] still got a lot of work to do. Robert’s plan is working, so we just have to have faith in it.”

Despite the script reading a disappointing afternoon in N7 for the Spurs, the recent fortnight has proved monumental for 20 year-old Grace Clinton. February’s international break saw the midfielder receive her third consecutive call up for Sarina Wiegman’s England squad, before finding herself in the starting eleven to make her debut appearance for the Lionesses.

England’s friendly fixture with Austria saw Clinton’s name written in bright lights, before the 20 year-old went one step further, and scored on her debut appearance. 

Reflecting on what has been a whirlwind of a fortnight, Clinton humbly expressed her excitement in regards to the recent events.

“To be honest, I just feel like a bit of a robot at the moment- game after game. It’s been a big two weeks, and I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve had. For Sarina [Wiegman] and Robert [Vilahamn] believing in me, and [they’re] giving me the confidence to play my own football at the moment.”

Clinton’s time at Tottenham has seen her shine under the management of Robert Vilahamn. The Spurs star digested her development under Vilahamn, stating “Robert has given me that freedom to play how I want. For a player like me, that’s fun, and it’s what I want to do.”

Grace Clinton is back in action with Tottenham this coming Sunday, as the Spurs gear up to host Manchester City in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarter final stages.