MARC SKINNER criticised Eveliina Summanen’s reaction to Ella Toone’s foul after the forward saw red during Tottenham’s loss to Manchester United.
Toone was given her marching orders as the Red Devils claimed a title-boosting 2-1 win with Spurs enduring own goal heartbreak.
Leah Galton gave the visitors a second-half lead before Bethany England replied with an ice cold leveller at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
But disaster struck for the hosts when Molly Bartrip’s mis-kick cancelled out England’s equaliser, with the game becoming fiery in its latter stages.
This included the moment involving Toone and Summanen vying for for the ball.
Following the duo getting tangled, with both on the turf, Toone appeared to shove Summanen on the shoulder with both hands.
Read More Football Stories
The Spurs player was seen clutching her face moments later.
Shortly after, referee Amy Fearn showed the Man United ace a red card.
This means she could face a three-match ban which could see her miss the Red Devils’ clash with Chelsea.
When asked for his thoughts on the incident that preceded the sending off, Skinner said: “Maybe play-acting is a tough word
Most read in Football
“But actually the reality is there’s no need to roll around holding your face.
“Part of our growth, as fans and players, is you want to see passion for your club.
“Look it’s a foul and it’s probably a yellow card – with the tackle from Tooney – but there’s a tangle of legs and there’s maybe a little bit of frustration.
“We have to be accountable for our actions of course and we’ll assess that within (the team). We’ll deal with that internally.
“But you don’t need to roll around holding your face.
“That’s part of the sport I don’t want to come into our game because it’s a clear push on her shoulder. It’s just not a good sign.
“There’s no doubt Tooney will bounce back. The thing we all love about Tooney is she is very real.
“Once we’re all calm, we’ll assess what happens and assess our part and own our part.
“But the reality is we shouldn’t scold someone for showing commitment and passion.”
When asked for her view Skinner added: “It’s the referee’s job to manage those sorts of situations.
“Other than that, there’s nothing from my side to say on it.”
The 2-1 result saw Tottenham fall to a seventh straight loss in the WSL since their 8-0 trouncing of Brighton last October.
It leaves United top of the table before a March 5 league clash with Leicester after the international break.
Red Devils boss Skinner said: “We just need to keep accruing points
“The reality is we had to win, that’s the pressure we set ourselves.
“We don’t think we’re going to get anything, we have to earn it.
“It’s good being top of the table, but they are are many twists to happen yet.”
United saw a goal disallowed in the 23rd minute with a Galton’s header from Ona Batlle’s ruled as offside.
And England blazed an effort over the bar minutes later after being put through by Ashleigh Neville.
Later Mana Iwabuchi looked to be through on goal following a neat Spence and England move before being flagged offside.
Galton broke the deadlock in the second spell, smashing the ball into the net at close range in the 67th minute.
But the hosts hit back 13 minutes later with England netting her third goal in four appearances for Spurs.
However that leveller was overshadowed when Bartrip fired the ball into her own net with an attempted clearance going awry.
Spurs are now three points above Leicester – who are bottom – after three wins in 12 WSL games.
A duel with Man City on March 5 awaits them after the international break and their FA Cup clash with Reading on February 26.
Tottenham chief Rehanne Skinner said: “As a team we have to start get pieces of the jigsaw together properly.
Read More on The Sun
“We’ve had two great transfers in the window that have helped us to move forward.
“That’s something that as a as a club and as a team we want to keep building on.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
