Tottenham Hotspur Women have been quietly consolidating the progress made under Martin Ho last season, even as most pre‑season talk has centred on Manchester City’s title defence and the prospects of a revamped London City squad. One of the key figures in Spurs' resurgence is Danish forward Olivia Holdt, whose arrival in January 2025 was greeted by then‑manager Robert Vilahamn with high praise.
Vilahamn labelled Holdt the "X‑factor" and suggested she could become one of the league's elite players. Those lofty compliments have translated into tangible performances, even if Holdt rarely dominates the headlines. Holdt opened the current campaign with a striking hat‑trick in a 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace, a result she described as "special". That win kept Spurs unbeaten in the Women's Super League (WSL) and positioned them second on the table, three points behind Manchester City and a point ahead of the weekend's opponents, London City.
When asked about the club’s standing, Holdt told Sky Sports ahead of the match: "It’s still early, there are many games left and it will be a long season, but so far things are looking very positive. No one finds it annoying that we are second at the moment – we are happy with where we are, and it feels deserved because our performances have been strong in the opening fixtures." She added, "I’m looking forward to Sunday. It will be interesting to face London City.
They have invested heavily this season and have assembled a squad of high‑quality players. It should be a good game, and we hope to keep our momentum and secure three points." The outcome of that clash could shape Tottenham's trajectory as the season progresses, especially with upcoming fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal after the international break. Those matches will provide a clearer picture of whether Spurs can maintain their early‑season form and challenge for the title.
Spurs have already demonstrated a potent attack, scoring the most league goals (15) while conceding only two. Their style combines dominant possession with rapid, forward‑driven play. If they can preserve this balance across the next three games and remain in the top three, they will be hard to ignore as genuine title contenders. Holdt explained the team’s collective mindset: "We have scored 15 goals, and it’s impressive if one player can do that in four games, but it shows how well we have gelled.
We don’t focus on who scores; we just want to win 7‑0 or 4‑0. Everyone contributes, and if we keep this up, many players will add a goal or two to their tally. The most important thing is securing the three points; who gets on the scoresheet is secondary." Regarding the upcoming tests against Chelsea and Arsenal, Holdt said, "It will be a good test for us. No disrespect to the teams we have already played – they were games we expected to win.
Facing Chelsea and Arsenal will let us see where we stand and how we compete at a higher level. Those clubs have been at the top for years, but I believe we can hold our own and give them a strong performance." Holdt has been one of the most consistent performers under Ho and finished last season as Spurs' top scorer, netting ten goals in all competitions, eight of which came in the league. Her relationship with the coach appears to be a cornerstone of her success.
"Martin is a great coach and has helped me raise my level in the league," the Denmark international remarked. "He instils confidence and energy, and we also have a solid rapport off the pitch.
We respect each other, can disagree openly, and that honesty makes our partnership work. He tells me the hard truth, and I do the same. Sometimes it gets heated, but we both want the best for each other, and that mutual respect is valuable." Although Holdt is primarily deployed on the right wing, she has drifted more centrally this season compared with the previous year.
She emphasised her willingness to adapt to whatever role Ho envisions for her. "Since joining Spurs, I have played in several positions. We are trying to discover where I can contribute most and where I can extract the best from myself.
Ultimately, Martin makes the decisions. If he wants me on the right, I will be there; if he prefers me as a number 10, I am happy to do that; even on the left, I will give my best." She continued, "I see myself as a versatile attacking player, so my exact position on the pitch is less important than the overall game plan and having quality teammates around me. Being able to operate in different areas can also confuse opponents – they never know where I will appear." Looking ahead, Holdt and the Spurs squad hope that this flexibility and collective spirit will enable them to continue disrupting the traditional hierarchy of the WSL. Their upcoming fixtures, including the highly anticipated London City Lionesses match broadcast on Sky Sports, will be crucial in testing their resolve.
Fans can watch Tottenham versus London City Lionesses live on Sky Sports Football from 1.30 pm on Sunday, with kickoff at 2 pm. Highlights and in‑game clips will be available shortly after full‑time on Sky Sports' digital platforms. Additionally, viewers can participate in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available. Overall, Tottenham's early season narrative is one of quiet confidence, tactical adaptability, and a collective belief that they belong among the league's elite.
With Holdt’s goal‑scoring instincts, Ho’s strategic guidance, and a squad eager to prove themselves against the established powers, Spurs are poised to make a serious push for the WSL crown as the season unfolds.