Robert Vilahamn lauded the steps his Spurs side have made in trying to close the gap to Arsenal, as the Tottenham manager reflected on what has become an onslaught of record attendances churrned out week by week in the Women’s Super League.

Alessia Russo’s sixth goal of the season saw Spurs fell to defeat to their bitter rivals in front of a brilliant 60,050 at the Emirates Stadium yesterday afternoon.

Tottenham held their own for the first half, arguably producing the better chance as Jess Naz countered brilliantly at pace before sending an effort crashing back off the bar after a crucial touch from Manuela Zinsberger.

Having defended so resolutely in the first 45, they had the worst possible start to the second, as Alessia sent Becky Spencer’s net rippling to eventually seal three precious points for The Gunners.

Tottenham manager, Robert Vilahamn, lauded his sides first half performance, despite the overall scoreline. “First half, we had to whether a storm with Arsenal corners early on which we did, we then grew into the game and actually had the better chances in the first half.”

“We know we are playing a quality team however, and that showed but I am so proud of the steps we have made. Last year we lost 4-0 here, so I’m really proud of us for making these steps and starting to close the gap between us.”

This was always going to be a transitional year for Tottenham, having decided to go into a whole new direction following Rehanne Skinner’s departure at the back end of last term. Vilahamn has acquired younger players to blend with his already experienced squad, but recognises Spurs are still a fair way off where he wants them to be.

“I think we are competing well, but it might take one more year, next year to continue developing in the right ways to get to where we want to be. We aren’t going to buy world beaters, we are going to have to make them. We can see it already with Grace Clinton, starting and scoring for England, we have other players starting and playing for their national teams too, we need to ntuure them and develop them.

“Every time we sign a new player or staff member, we need to make sure they are the right character and buy in to what we want to do. We have a plan, a three year plan and a five year plan, we need to believe in our way and do it our way, nobody else’s. We need to trust the process and believe in what we do.”

The attendance on at Emirates on a sun soaked Sunday was 60,050, pointing to another monumental occasion in Women’s football in the UK, with today’s North London Derby, the single most attended football match today in the United Kingdom, which Spurs manager Vilahamn lauded.

“It makes me really happy to see numbers like this. It shows that all the people who say bad and horrible things about women’s football are wrong. People may have come for the first time today, and they will come back again and it just makes days like today so special aside from the result.”

In the game itself, Vilahamn opted for a change in goal, with former Gunner Becky Spencer putting in a decent performance, and started Jess Naz ahead of Bethany England.

“We had a plan on how we might want to hurt Arsenal. Their defence line is not the quickest one. Jessica Naz is very quick and we wanted to have her speed. If you look at that switch, I think Naz is really good as a number nine. She’s had really good games against Arsenal,” he said.

“Votikova came back [from international break], but I also think we needed to be very sharp with our build-up today — and I think Becky [Spencer] is one of the best goalkeepers in the build-up phase. She’s been waiting for a few games to get the playtime again.

“Barbora [Votikova] has done well, but there have been a few situations where we needed to improve our communication. It’s a very hard competition and sometimes you need to switch goalkeepers as well.”

Also, the decision to bring on Ramona Petzelberger just after the hour, seemingly at right back for Ashleigh Neville, was also explained post match, as Vilahamn disclosed his thinking for leaving the out and out full back, Charli Grant on the bench for Spurs.

“Ashleigh [Neville] was only allowed to play 45 to 60 minutes today, so then I needed to make a change. Charli [Grant] just flew back from Dubai, Uzbekistan and Australia, so she could not really train on Friday. She trained yesterday.

“Petzelberger has trained in that position for two weeks and the main thing with her is that she’s very good on the ball. I thought it was much better to have a good passing player to play through-balls than Charli [Grant] who has flown all over the world,” the Swede explained to the media.

Tottenham now turn their attention toward the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, as the Spurs gear up to host an unforgiving Manchester City side this coming Sunday.

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