West Ham 3-4 Tottenham: Naz seals Spurs victory in seven-goal thriller

Jessica Naz scored a dramatic winner as Tottenham fought back to beat West Ham 4-3 in a thrilling Women’s Super League encounter at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.

Grace Clinton’s early opener was cancelled out by Risa Shimizu but Celin Bizet and Clinton’s second goal extended Tottenham’s lead in the second half.

Quickfire goals from Viviane Asseyi and Amber Tysiak levelled the game for the Hammers with 20 minutes remaining but Naz notched the winner six minutes later to deepen West Ham’s relegation worries.

The visitors made a promising start and took the lead within six minutes when Clinton made a superb turn on the edge of the box and struck a low shot into the bottom left corner, beating West Ham goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

Tottenham created another goalscoring opportunity through Bethany England, who met Angharad James’ through-ball but sent a left-footed effort straight into the hands of Arnold.

The hosts equalised in the 35th minute through Shimizu when Riko Ueki threaded a low cross for her Japanese team-mate to poke home after beating Ashley Neville.

Manchester United loanee Clinton continued to be a threat in midfield and delivered a sublime cross to England, whose header went inches wide of the post.

Three minutes later, Neville threaded an inch-perfect pass to Martha Thomas on the edge of the box who forced Arnold into a diving save at the far post.

Just before the half-time interval, Robert Vilahamn’s side regained their lead after Clinton played an exquisite long pass to Bizet. The Norway international timed her run to perfection and chipped the ball past Barbora Votikova.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 48th minute after West Ham failed to clear the danger from an inswinging corner and the ball was gifted to Clinton, whose thunderous shot found the far corner to open up a 3-1 advantage.

The hosts pulled a goal back on the hour mark when Ueki launched a defence-splitting cross into the Spurs box and Asseyi managed to capitalise on the loose ball to find the net.

With 20 minutes remaining, Rehanne Skinner’s side were level when Kristie Mewis delivered a dangerous free-kick into the box and Tysiak connected with a looping header.

However, Tottenham restored their lead in the 76th minute after England’s effort was blocked and Naz converted the rebound.

The Hammers almost equalised again as Katrina Gorry burst past the Spurs midfield and launched a long-range shot from 20 yards that rattled the frame of the woodwork, but the visitors held on to claim an important victory.