Olivia Holdt shines as Spurs expose both progress and limits against United

Holdt’s quality highlighted Spurs’ progress, while United’s bench showed what they still lack

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This game highlighted the changes that Martin Ho has wrought, the creativity of Olivia Holdt and the gap that remains between Spurs and the ‘Big Four’ WSL sides.

In the end it was bench strength – or lack thereof – that proved consequential, with Manchester United able to bring on superstar Fridolina Rolfö and long-time attacking dynamo, Leah Galton. It was, however, a game in which we were reminded of Spurs’ defensive organisation and got to see why Spurs supporters are so excited about Olivia Holdt.

Holdt time

When she joined Spurs in January of this year, Olivia Holdt had recently returned from injury. In her first WSL games, she was given limited game time. Her first minutes came as a late substitute in a game Spurs were drawing away at Crystal Palace. With Holdt’s second touch, the Dane was fouled. She then took and scored a direct free-kick, winning the game. It was an auspicious start in anyone’s books. And although her contribution for the rest of the 2024-5 season did not live up to that entry, this season Holdt has emerged as the creative spark at the heart of Spurs’ resurgence.