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Powell: We have to build on this run

Head coach reflects on 2-0 win over Tottenham and calls on her players to continue their unbeaten run.

By Bruce Talbot • 07 March 2021

By Paul Hazlewood
Albion head coach Hope Powell.

Hope Powell says Albion won’t rest on their laurels despite claiming three successive wins for the first time in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.

Inessa Kaagman took her tally for the season to five as Albion built on victories over Chelsea and West Ham by claiming a third capital scalp with a 2-0 home success over Tottenham on Sunday.

Albion remain seventh but are 12 points clear of the relegation place.

Powell said, “I’m really pleased, it’s a great win for us. That’s three wins in a row which is the consistency we’ve been looking for. Massive credit to everyone involved, the players and staff have worked hard since the Bristol City defeat at the end of January but we have to keep doing what we’re doing.

“But I don’t want us to let up in our intensity and think we’re okay because we’ve won three games. We want to win the next one now which is Aston Villa. We can still be better, there will be no relaxing. You do that at the end of the season or when you retire.”

By Kyle Hemsley
Ellie Brazil shadowed by the masked Ria Percival

Powell saluted Kaagman’s expert finishing and also praised substitute Nora Heroum who created both goals after coming on at the break.

“Inessa is a great footballer and they were two quality goals but credit also to Nora for creating them both with good balls into the box. Nora has had minimal playing time so it’s been tough for her but what an impact, she executed those passes magnificently and made such an important contribution to a great team effort.”

Both teams hit the woodwork twice and Albion had to defend determinedly at times, but Powell was pleased that her players stood firm to claim a second successive clean sheet.

“The last ten minutes were a bit frantic, they put us under a lot of pressure, but we were resilient and competed physically with Spurs really well. We had a bit of luck but we showed a lot of character too and overall I thought we deserved to win.”