Ho’s Tottenham up and running as England penalty sinks West Ham

Martin Ho’s first game in charge of Tottenham ended in a celebratory mood as Bethany England’s late penalty gave the north London side a slender but valuable victory in their season opener against West Ham.

For large parts of the contest, during which the opposing goalkeepers generally had little to do, it had looked as though the teams might play out a goalless draw, but Katrina Garry fouled Eveliina Summanen inside the area to present the home side with a chance to win the game on 86 minutes, and England tucked her spot-kick into the right-hand corner.

Ho’s new side had controlled more of the possession and had plenty of the ball in the final third, offering them some cause for optimism long-term, but what they were initially lacking on Sunday was that spark of creativity and a decisive ball inside the West Ham penalty area.

In terms of generating opportunities to test the goalkeeper, similar could be said of West Ham, although they missed a big chance when Seraina Piubel volleyed out at the back post, just moments into the second half.

There was a blow for West Ham when their starting goalkeeper Kinga Szemik, who played for Poland at Euro 2025 this summer, had to be withdrawn with what looked like an ankle injury, after landing awkwardly when she did well to keep out a deep cross from Drew Spence that had looked destined to drop inside the far post.

Szemik hobbled off with help from two members of West Ham’s physio team, and she was replaced by Megan Walsh, who got a hand to England’s penalty kick half an hour later but could not quite keep it out.

A winning start for Tottenham will feel priceless, after a disappointing campaign last term saw them finish 11th. Their key summer decision was to choose Ho to try to start a new era. It is understood Spurs were blown away by the passion he showed in his interview presentation, which one source said was so detailed and thorough that Ho had to be asked politely to stop because time was up. The club wanted a coach who is obsessive and they believe they have found one. They are understood also to have received very strong personal recommendations for the former Manchester United assistant coach, including a glowing character reference from the former United manager Casey Stoney.

The Merseyside-born coach was all smiles all he waved with both arms to Spurs when he was introduced before kick-off, amid an optimistic mood, and as his team wrapped up the points he was understandably delighted, clenching his fists as he turned back towards the crowd.

Header image: [Photograph: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images]