Women’s FA Cup: London City Lionesses eye Tottenham scalp despite manager’s exit

When preparing for a huge FA Cup meeting with Premier League opposition, losing your inspirational manager within match week is pretty low in ideal pre-match preparation.

The Lionesses are currently top of the Women’s Championship and are eyeing a surprise against an out-of-form Spurs side who have lost their last five WSL games.

However, they have to do so after suffering a blow this week when manager Melissa Phillips has left the club to become an assistant coach at Angel City of the National Women’s Soccer League in Los Angeles.

Phillips had been in charge since October 2020 and led the Lionesses to first place in the second tier and with realistic ambitions of promotion to the WSL.

However against Spurs, his former assistant Nikita Runnacles will be in the dugout.

“Monday was always going to be tough, no matter the timeline, she [Phillips] could have told us six months ago and it would be difficult,” Runnacles said on Thursday, after being asked by BBC Sport what she knew in advance about Phillips’ departure.

Phillips’ exit on Monday caused an outpouring of emotion from London City players and staff on social media.

Co-captain Amy Rodgers led the tributes on Twitter: “I’m so grateful to have played for you for the past 18 months. You’ve been the biggest influence on me and I’m grateful to have learned so much from you.

“Today’s club is a testament to you. Thank you for everything. Angel City have a really good one.”

Rodgers was one of many players and staff to post enthusiastic praise on social media following Phillips’ departure – including Runnacles herself.

Now, however, she says players are ready to spring into action.

“They wanted to get back on the court,” Runnacles said. “It was one of the biggest clashes of the season, but they still wanted to train together.

“There was not a single moment where I wondered how they were going to react. Are they upset to see her go? Yes, but it adds to their emotions. She brought us here to do a job together. “

“We like to bring entertainment”

While the Lionesses’ preparations off the pitch have been disrupted, on the pitch there is plenty to suggest they can give Spurs a good game.

Only one Championship team is promoted to the WSL each season, and the Lionesses are firmly in the hunt.

Halfway through the campaign, they have 24 points in 11 games. Bristol City, a point behind but with a game less, look like their main challenger for the title.

London City have also already shown they can take on WSL sides this season as well. In the Women’s League Cup group stage – colloquially known as the Conti Cup – they took West Ham United on penalties and were narrowly beaten at home by Brighton and Hove Albion.

“We are always proud [ourselves] playing WSL teams is everyone’s ambition at this club,” Runnacles said.

“We approach every game as if we were a WSL team. It adds that determination. We have faced WSL teams in the Conti Cup and played some great games. Now we are moving forward.”

The Lionesses are the Championship’s top scorers, with 25 league goals so far, six more than second-best Charlton.

Scotland striker Sarah Ewens, the division’s joint top scorer with seven goals, will be one player Spurs must keep quiet – and Runnacles have promised their side won’t change their usual attacking style against top-flight opponents division.

“We are a creative, quick-playing team, we like to apply pressure all over the pitch, we like to have possession, combine and break down teams,” she said.

“We like to bring entertainment, we will see that on Sunday despite playing a WSL team. We only know how to play in a way that allows the players to express themselves.”

“Our future is in our hands”

As English women’s football grows and attracts more and more investment, the influence of men’s football also increases. In the WSL, all 12 teams are paired with a professional men’s team.

This is not the case with the Lionesses, who operated independently since splitting from Millwall in 2019.

“We want to prove that a women’s team can now be run like an independent club and not rely on the gifts of an older brother,” former manager Chris Phillips told BBC London Sport four years ago.

Having nearly gone into administration in April 2018 before being crowdfunded £17,500 saved and winning just one of 20 league games in 2018-19, the Lionesses have become increasingly stronger.

Now, with a television audience on Sunday and a real chance for top-flight promotion this season, Runnacles says the cup clash can show how the club have grown both on and off the pitch.

“We are in a privileged position, our future is in our hands,” she said of London City’s independence.

“It’s really special, but you need special people on board. The results on the pitch are due to hard work.

“It’s a great opportunity for the club, we can’t wait to put London City on the map.”