Beth England scores twice as Tottenham secure Women’s Super League status with vital home win over bottom-placed Reading

Tottenham Hotspur have secured their Women’s Super League status for the 2023-24 season after a thumping 4-1 win over Reading in North London.

In what was a genuine relegation six-pointer, the two sides kicked off the day just three points apart.

Beth England got Spurs off to a superb start in the 29th minute when she drifted away from her marker at a corner to head home at the far post.

Norway forward Celin Ildhusoy made it 2-0 just before the break, capping a flowing team move with a good, low strike.

England added her second goal in the 62nd minute.

Spotting a loose ball, England seized on the opportunity. Rounding Reading ‘keeper Grace Moloney, the Spurs forward chipped her finish into an empty net.

Costing £250,000 from Chelsea in January, England is the most expensive women’s player in British football history, and has gone some way to justifying that price tag with her subsequent contribution.

England has scored in every match that has earned Spurs a point since signing.

In addition to her strike against Reading, England scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Brighton, hit the equaliser against Aston Villa and got the winner in a vital match against Leicester in March.

Saturday’s goals make it 12 in the WSL this season, and 67 career goals, second only to Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema in the all-time WSL standings.

Substitute Kit Graham made it 4-0, racing onto a through ball and finishing smoothly to grab her first goal since suffering an ACL tear in 2021.

Justine Vanhaevermaet pulled one back for the visitors in the 79th minute, but it was only a consolation goal.

Reading’s hopes of survival are now slim. Only Leicester remain in range for The Royals, but The Foxes have a game in hand. Reading require Leicester to lose both of their final matches while also beating Champions-elect Chelsea in their last game.