Tottenham Hotspur’s women’s side have quietly been consolidating the groundwork laid by Martin Ho last campaign, even as most preseason talk revolved around Manchester City’s title defence and the prospects of London City’s revamped squad. One of the key figures in Spurs’ early‑season surge is Danish forward Olivia Holdt. She arrived at the club in January 2025 under the guidance of then‑manager Robert Vilhammar, who immediately labelled her the team’s "X‑factor" and hinted that she could evolve into one of the league’s elite players.
Those lofty compliments have translated into tangible performances, although Holdt rarely dominates headlines. She opened the current campaign with a hat‑trick in a 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace – a feat she described as "special" – and Spurs have yet to taste defeat in the Women's Super League. The team sit second on the table, three points shy of Manchester City and a point ahead of this weekend’s opponents, the high‑profile London City.
"It’s still very early, there are plenty of matches left and it will be a long season, but so far things are looking very positive," Holdt told Sky Sports ahead of the Sunday fixture. "No one is complaining about us being second; we’re delighted with our position and it feels deserved because our displays in the opening games have been strong." She added, "I’m excited for Sunday. It’ll be interesting to face London City – they’ve invested heavily this summer and brought in a number of quality players.
It should be a good contest, and we hope to keep our momentum going and secure three points." The outcome of that clash could help shape Tottenham’s final standing in May, as could the two matches that follow after the international break when Spurs face Chelsea and Arsenal in back‑to‑back league fixtures. Those games will provide a clearer picture of how the Spurs side measures up against the traditional powerhouses.
Spurs have already demonstrated a potent attacking edge, leading the league with 15 goals while conceding only two. Their style combines dominant possession with rapid, forward‑driven play. Maintaining this form across the upcoming trio of high‑profile matches would solidify their status as genuine title contenders.
"Scoring 15 goals in four games is impressive for any side, but it also shows how well we’ve gelled as a unit," Holdt explained. "We don’t focus on who gets the credit for each goal; we just want to win 7‑0 or 4‑0.
Everyone contributes, and if we keep this up, many of us will add a goal or two to our tally. The primary aim is three points – the goal‑scorers are secondary." She continued, "These upcoming fixtures will be a good test.
No disrespect to the teams we’ve already played – we expected three points from them – but facing Chelsea and Arsenal will be a step up. It’ll show where we stand and how we can compete at the highest level." Holdt has been one of the most reliable performers under Ho, finishing as Spurs’ top scorer last season with ten goals in all competitions, eight of which came in the league. Their partnership appears mutually beneficial and has been a cornerstone of the club’s recent success.
"Martin is an excellent coach who has helped me raise my game in the league," the Denmark international said. "He knows how to instil confidence and energy in the squad, and we also share a strong bond off the pitch." She elaborated on their rapport: "We respect each other a lot. I can disagree with him and he can disagree with me, which is why we work well together – we’re honest.
Martin tells me the hard truth, and I don’t sugar‑coat anything for him. Sometimes it gets heated, but we both want the best for each other, and that mutual respect makes it work." Although Holdt has primarily operated on the right wing, she has drifted more centrally this season compared with last year. She emphasised her willingness to occupy any role that benefits the team. "Since joining Spurs, I’ve been used in a few different positions.
We’re still figuring out where I can contribute most and where I can get the best out of myself," she said. "Ultimately, Martin makes the decisions. If he wants me on the right, I’ll do that. If he prefers me as a number ten, I’m happy to play there.
Even on the left, I’ll give it my all." "I view myself as a versatile attacker, so my exact position isn’t crucial as long as the tactical plan is clear and I have quality teammates around me to support my role," Holdt added. "Being able to operate in various spots can also confuse opponents – they never know where I’ll appear." Spurs hope that this flexibility and collective spirit will continue to unsettle the established hierarchy of the WSL in the weeks ahead.
Fans can catch the upcoming Tottenham versus London City Lionesses clash live on Sky Sports Football at 2 pm on Sunday, with highlights and in‑game clips available shortly after full‑time on Sky’s digital platforms. For those looking for a bit of extra excitement, the Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £1 million – entry is free.