Tottenham Women boss Martin Ho makes Man City vow after loss as Japan's Toko Koga shines

Martin Ho’s Tottenham Hotspur and Toko Koga’s Japan had contrasting fortunes on Sunday.

After a month’s break from Women’s Super League action, Spurs welcomed Everton to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but it was not the return they wanted.

Yuka Momiki put the visitors ahead only for Signe Gaupset’s 76th-minute goal to set up a frantic finish.

But Kelly Gago’s winner seven minutes from time secured a 2-1 away victory for interim boss Scott Phelan’s team.

More than 10,000 miles away in Sydney, Japan romped into the semi-finals of the Asian Cup with a 7-0 thrashing of the Philippines, with Koga scoring twice.

While it was a delight for the Japan international, it was a day to forget for Tottenham Women.

Martin Ho takes blame for Everton defeat

Tottenham have enjoyed an excellent season, rising to fifth in the WSL, level on points with Champions League holders Arsenal.

But on Sunday, they were undone by an in-form Everton team, who have now won four straight games.

Spurs had 54 per cent possession but mustered just two shots on target to Everton’s eight. Lize Kop was also by far the busier of the two goalkeepers, with the Spurs ace making six saves compared to Courtney Brosnan’s one.

Tottenham’s loss and Arsenal’s win may end their Champions League qualification chances, with third-placed Chelsea four points ahead, with a game in hand.

After the game, Ho did not pull his punches when asked about his side’s performance. The 35-year-old also took blame for the defeat and vowed that his team will be better away at table-topping Manchester City on Saturday.

He said: “We were nowhere near our level that we need to be. I need to dissect that and make sure that I look at that performance with a really, really close eye because of how we set up and the way we do things tactically – that’s my responsibility.

“We were nowhere near the level, and that’s my responsibility. We need to make sure that when we go into this Manchester City game now, we can repay that faith in the fans.”

Toko Koga one step closer to Asian Cup glory

Koga was one of seven Tottenham players unavailable for the Everton game, with the defender sorely missed against the Toffees.

On Sunday, Koga made her third appearance of the Asian Cup as Japan dismissed the Philippines to set up a tantalising last-four clash with South Korea.

In the 7-0 win, Koga notched a close-range header in first-half stoppage time, and then she made it 5-0 with another header from less than a yard out.

While Koga played the full match, Tottenham teammate and Chelsea loanee Maika Hamano was an unused substitute.

Not only are Japan one step closer to winning their first Asian Cup since 2018, but the win saw Koga’s nation book a spot at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil next summer.

Koga has been impressive for Tottenham and Japan in 2025-26, and both club and country will hope she can be at her best in the coming matches.

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