Tottenham Hotspur Women have quietly been building on the platform laid down by Martin Ho last season, even as most pre‑season talk has revolved around Manchester City’s title defence and the potential of London City’s revamped squad. One of the key figures in Spurs’ early‑season surge is Danish international Olivia Holdt, whose arrival in January 2025 was heralded by former manager Robert Vilahamn as the club’s much‑needed "X‑factor" with the promise of becoming one of the league’s elite players. Those lofty compliments have translated into tangible results, although Holdt rarely dominates headlines. She opened the campaign with a stunning hat‑trick in a 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace – a performance she described as "special" – and Tottenham have yet to taste defeat in the Women's Super League (WSL).
The team currently sit second, three points adrift of defending champions Manchester City and a single point ahead of the weekend’s high‑profile clash with London City. "It’s still early days, there are plenty of games 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 seems annoyed that we’re second at the moment – we’re delighted with our position and it feels earned because our displays have been solid in the opening matches." She added a note of anticipation for the upcoming encounter with London City: "I’m looking forward to Sunday. It will be interesting to face a team that has invested heavily this season and brought in a number of high‑quality players.
It should be a good game, and we hope to keep our momentum going and secure three points." The outcome of that match could be pivotal in shaping Tottenham’s final standing in May, especially when followed by back‑to‑back fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal after the international break. Those three games will serve as a litmus test for the Spurs side, which already leads the league in goals scored (15) while having conceded only twice.
Their brand of quick, possession‑based attacking football has produced a prolific goal‑mouth and a solid defensive record, qualities that traditionally earmark a team as a genuine title contender. "Scoring 15 goals in four games shows how well we’ve gelled," Holdt explained. "We don’t fuss over who gets the goals – whether it’s a 7‑0 win or a 4‑0 win, everyone contributes.
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; the individual scorers are secondary." Looking ahead, Holdt stressed the importance of the upcoming tests: "It’ll be a good challenge for us. No disrespect to the teams we’ve already faced, but the fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal are the kind of games where we expect to fight for every point.
They’ll show us where we truly stand and how we match up against the league’s traditional powerhouses." She also highlighted the psychological aspect of facing clubs that have dominated the top of the table for years: "Those teams have been at the summit for a long time, but when we meet them this season I believe we can hold our own and give them a strong contest. It’s a step up, and we’re ready for it." Holdt’s consistency has been a cornerstone of Tottenham’s success under Ho. She finished last season as the club’s leading scorer, netting ten goals across all competitions, eight of which came in the league. The mutual respect between player and coach appears to be a driving force behind that productivity.
"Martin is an excellent coach who has helped me raise my game in the league," Holdt said. "His ability to instill confidence and energy in the squad is remarkable, and we also share a good relationship off the pitch." The Danish forward elaborated on their dynamic: "We respect each other a lot. I can disagree with him and he can disagree with me, which is why it works – we’re honest. Martin tells me the hard truth, and I’m not afraid to speak my mind.
Sometimes it gets heated, but we both want what’s best for the team, so that mutual respect is essential." Although Holdt has primarily operated on the right wing, she has drifted more centrally this season compared with the previous year, and she embraces any role that Ho deems beneficial. "Since joining Spurs, I’ve played in a few different positions.
We’re trying to discover where I can contribute most and where I can extract the best from 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 10, I’m happy to adapt; even on the left I’ll give it my all." She described herself as a versatile attacking player: "Where I’m placed on the pitch doesn’t matter much as long as the game plan is clear and I have quality teammates around me to help me find my role.
Being able to operate in multiple areas can also confuse opponents – they never know where I’ll appear." Looking forward, Holdt and her teammates hope that flexibility and unpredictability will continue to unsettle the established order of the WSL. The next few weeks will be crucial as Tottenham aim to preserve their disruption of the traditional hierarchy and keep the title race wide open. Fans can catch Tottenham’s clash with London City Lionesses live on Sky Sports Football at 1:30 pm (kick‑off 2 pm) on Sunday, with highlights and in‑game clips available shortly after full‑time on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. The club also encourages supporters to engage with the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, entry being free of charge.