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Bethany England scored a stunning goal as Tottenham Hotspur beat Leicester City 1-0 in the Women’s Super League on Wednesday evening.  England, who is on her way back after injury, played for just over 70 minutes of the match.  After it, and after spending some time with the supporters who had stayed after the match in the rain, she spoke to the media.

England was asked if she has scored a better goal than this one.  “I think I have” answered England.  She mentioned the recent goal against Manchester United but then said “I am just happy with the points, I don’t care how it went in”.

With manger Rehanne Skinner leaving the club on Monday, England was asked what the last 48 hours have been like for the players.  “It has been difficult” was the response and that they have to appreciate what Rehanne has done for the club, she has brought the game forward and wished her well for the future.  England continued by saying “this is the start of a new chapter for us”.

“I want to do my best and help the team” was England’s reply when asked about Spurs being back to winning ways after nine league defeats in a row.  She felt she is still a bit rusty after missing two games as injured, and being honest about her own performance against Leicester she said “I didn’t think my performance today was anywhere near good enough” but glad she could bring “a moment of magic that the team needed”.

England noted that personally she has had a good start at Tottenham since joining from Chelsea in January as scoring goals and performing well, but football is a team sport and “wants to win as a collective”.  She felt this win was big for Tottenham with some tough games coming up and they need to be solid defensively.

Regarding the goal, she commented that she “has a habit of coming down the left hand side and cutting in, but the elation inside of me when it hit the back of the net”.  She seemed happy to have scored past Janina Leitzig, who England noted has been putting in some unbelievable performances for Leicester recently, and knew it would take something special to beat her.

“I can only thank the fans enough for the support they have given me, it has been tough for them, us and the club as a whole, but I want them to keep sticking with us and results will come and today is the start of that.”

England said Vicky Jepson, who was appointed interim head coach on Monday, has been “put in a difficult position stepping in for Rehanne” but has done the job today and done it well, and as players and staff they need to get round her and give her support.  As players, “we need to put in performances good enough for Vicky” England added.

Asked about the players mood before kick-off, England responded that “yesterday (Tuesday) was tough” and individuals dealt with it how they needed to deal with it.  “We have to go out there and enjoy football and not let the pressure get to us because I think that is what has happened in recent weeks, everyone has underperformed, and we needed to out there and enjoy playing our game” England continued. 

She concluded by saying “We had a good feeling coming into the game, we got the job done and that is what we care about, the points and climbing up that table”, and acknowledged they have to stay humble as still quite far off where they need to be.