Arsenal took the spoils on north London derby day as goals from Georgia Stanway and Alessia Russo secured the Gunners’ first win since early September, however Spurs manager Martin Ho believes his side deserved more out of the game – particularly from the officials.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Ho was upset with referee Phoebe Cross’s decision to give Arsenal an early second-half penalty and said he believed WSL officiating has “got worse” than it was last year.
Arsenal were awarded their penalty after a Lisa Baum shot struck the post, rebounded out and was cleared by a Tottenham defender, only for that clearance to clatter into the outstretched arm of Ella Morris standing around a yard away.
Ho said: “There was one early in the game which hits Baum’s hand, it’s the same distance, and then that [Morris penalty incident] happens in the box and it’s given, and they can’t even give you an explanation.
“It’s got worse. The refereeing this year has got worse than it was last year. I’m going back in [to see them] in a minute.”
IFAB rules dictate that if a player is struck on the hand or arm via a teammate’s touch, it should not be given as a penalty. The distance Morris was from the ball when it was struck was also minimal, and Ho was upset about both elements of the decision.
“You judge based on distance and time, and when you’re a yard away, and the time and distance means you’re unable to react, you can’t do anything, or move out of the way. That’s disappointing.”
He continued: “They [referees]have a hard enough job and I get it, but in games like this when it’s decided on things like that… and I thought the inconsistency throughout the game was the same. We just have to dust ourselves down but it’s frustrating that it’s decided on a decision like that, when the rule is in black and white and we get told that at the start of the season.”
Ho also took aim at the selection of referee for the derby. Phoebe Cross took charge of this fixture for the first time, and Ho believed her fourth official, Lisa Benn, would have been a more suitable selection.
“They need more support and more time, and I understand they can’t do more than one game on a weekend. It’s nothing against any of the referees but you’ve got an elite referee on the side of the pitch, for a big game. Put them in the middle.”
Spurs have now dropped their last three games to elite WSL opposition and look well out of the hunt for a Champions League place after a bright start to 2026-27.