Manchester United made it 2-1 less than a minute after Bethany England had equalised for TottenhamManchester United returned to the top of the Women's Super League with victory over Spurs despite Ella Toone being sent off following a fiery encounter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In a dramatic and frantic second half, United took the lead through Leah Galton and appeared to take control of the game.
However, shortly afterwards Tottenham's January signing Bethany England scored in a third successive WSL game to make it 1-1, but team-mate Molly Bartrip diverted the ball into her own net less than a minute later.
With United leading 2-1 in a nervy affair, England international Toone reacted shockingly to a tangle of legs on the floor, appearing to hit out at Eveliina Summanen's face, leading to a straight red card.
Despite the wild turn of events after the hour mark, United held on to claim a crucial victory which restores their place at the top of the table and a one-point lead over Chelsea, who have a game in hand.
Meanwhile, pressure mounts on Tottenham and the side's manager Rehanne Skinner as their concerning losing streak extends to seven WSL matches.
Pressure mounts as tensions run high
Ella Toone was sent off for hitting out at Eveliina Summanen in the second halfUnited dropped points in a 0-0 draw with Everton last weekend and knew they could not afford to do the same in London this week if they were to keep their title hopes on track.
It was a frustrating first half for the visitors as Tottenham worked tirelessly out of possession and grew into the game as the break approached.
England had an excellent chance to score for Spurs when she was played in by Ashleigh Neville, a constant threat for the hosts, and United came close when Galton fired over the bar.
Marc Skinner's United side came out of the blocks with more fluidity in the second half and Toone struck the outside of the post after captain Katie Zelem whipped a free-kick dangerously wide.
A frantic turn of events followed as Galton capitalised on a smart cross from Ona Batlle and, minutes later, England's superb strike nestled into the far corner: 1-1.
Bartrip, who was in tears at full-time, pulled her shirt over her head immediately after poking Batlle's cross into the roof of her own net seconds later.
With the atmosphere in the stadium dialled up and both sets of players lunging into desperate tackles, Toone's shocking reaction to a scramble with Summanen led to angry reactions from the touchline and on the pitch.
She went straight down the tunnel after being sent off but her team-mates quickly composed themselves to see out an important victory.
Tottenham's players were visibility disappointed at full-time but this was a better performance than they have shown in recent weeks and they tested a United side who have been battling at the top all season.
In England, Spurs have a striker capable of turning games around and they will feel they have enough quality to avoid relegation despite being dragged dangerously close to the bottom.
Line-ups
Tottenham Women
Formation 5-4-1
1Korpela
14Ildhusøy4Turner5Bartrip3Zadorsky6Harrop
20Iwabuchi25Summanen24Spence29Neville
19England
1Korpela14IldhusøySubstituted forAyaneat 69'minutes4TurnerSubstituted forJamesat 82'minutes5Bartrip3Zadorsky6Harrop20Iwabuchi25SummanenBooked at 87mins24SpenceBooked at 62mins29Neville19EnglandSubstitutes
9Karczewska13Ale15James18Ubogagu22Spencer23AyaneMan Utd Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
27Earps
2Batlle15Le Tissier21Turner6Blundell
12Ladd10Zelem
22Parris7Toone11Galton
23Russo
27Earps2Batlle15Le Tissier21Turner6Blundell12LaddSubstituted forBøe Risaat 68'minutes10Zelem22ParrisSubstituted forGarcíaat 68'minutes7TooneBooked at 80mins11GaltonSubstituted forThomasat 90+2'minutes23RussoSubstituted forWilliamsat 83'minutesSubstitutes
3Thorisdóttir5Mannion8Bøe Risa9Thomas17García20Tounkara28Williams29Cascarino32BaggaleyLive Text
Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur Women 1, Manchester United Women 2.
Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur Women 1, Manchester United Women 2.
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Conceded by Katie Zelem.
Attempt missed. Bethany England (Tottenham Hotspur Women) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Mana Iwabuchi.
Substitution, Manchester United Women. Martha Thomas replaces Leah Galton.
Attempt saved. Lucía García (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Katie Zelem.
Attempt blocked. Vilde Bøe Risa (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Eveliina Summanen (Tottenham Hotspur Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Leah Galton (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Eveliina Summanen (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
Offside, Manchester United Women. Katie Zelem tries a through ball, but Rachel Williams is caught offside.
Katie Zelem (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Ashleigh Neville (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
Substitution, Manchester United Women. Rachel Williams replaces Alessia Russo.
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Angharad James replaces Amy Turner.
Ella Toone (Manchester United Women) is shown the red card for violent conduct.
Foul by Ella Toone (Manchester United Women).
Eveliina Summanen (Tottenham Hotspur Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Hannah Blundell (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Rosella Ayane (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
