Vidosic: We weren't clinical enough

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Head coach was frustrated that Albion didn't get two penalties in their 1-0 defeat to Spurs in the WSL.

Luke Nicoli

2025-10-05T17:15+01:00

Dario Vidosic looks on from the touchline during the 1-0 defeat to Spurs.

Head coach Dario Vidosic felt two penalty decisions cost his side dear as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in the WSL on Sunday.

In the opening exchanges, Marisa Olislagers went down under the challenge of Spurs defender Toko Kaga, who also appeared to handle, while in the second half Kiko Seike – through on goal – was dragged down just as she shaped to shoot, with Clare Hunt then clearing the danger.

“I feel there's two clear penalties – one early in the first half and one 100 per cent [penalty] in the second when Kiko clearly gets taken out. From my point of view, there's contact there and I'm not sure how they [the officials] haven't seen it,” said Vidosic.

“We could have gone 1-0 up with the potential penalty and for the second one to be waved away as well is a little bit frustrating.

Maelys Mpome crosses the ball after coming on in the second half. 📷 Kyle Hemsley

“I felt some of the decisions were quite inconsistent, with Tottenham also hard done by with a few challenges, and it just needs to improve.”

As for the game itself, Albion were much improved following a sluggish opening half. Aside from Seike's penalty appeal, Jelena Cankovic and Rosa Kafaji both had efforts to get back on level terms against an in-form Spurs side that sit third in the WSL table.

“In the first half we didn't adapt to their press,” Dario reflected. “We were a little bit slow, lacked energy and lost a lot of duels. The second half was much better, with some last-ditch tackling needed by Spurs.”

The result brings to an end a three-game winning streak for Albion, and with games against West Ham and Arsenal coming up this week it's all hands to the pump.

“We'll be okay,” the head coach added. “We should have Fran back, Moeka [Minami] is not too far away, Maddy [Madison Hayley] too. There's a lot to be confident about. We came to a tough place, the second half was good, with enough half-ish chances created, but we just weren't clinical enough.”