Naz on playing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: “It’s always a great occasion”

Jess Naz is looking to create more memorable moments ahead of our return to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next month against Arsenal – secure your tickets now.

In last season’s home north London derby, Martha Thomas’ second-half strike secured an historic first-ever win over the Gunners in the Barclays Women’s Super League in front of nearly 20,000 supporters in N17.

Then, six months later, we made more history there during our Women’s FA Cup journey and our number seven played a significant role as her equaliser in the closing stages forced the semi-final tie against Leicester City into extra-time before Martha headed home the winner to secure our place in the showpiece final for the first time.

That composed finish from Jess was her first goal at the Stadium and for the 24-year-old, who grew up in and around the area, it was an extra special moment and she is looking forward to returning there next month in the first NLD of this season.

“I was just waiting for that time to score at the Stadium, especially with a large amount of our supporters and my family there,” she told us. “I’ve had some good performances there but never been able to score, so to net such an important goal at the time to help us progress to the FA Cup Final was just such a surreal moment.

“It’s always a great occasion to play there and every time we do, we have played good football. The Stadium is amazing so to be back there and playing in front of our supporters will be a special moment.”

Watch Jess' goal against Leicester City in the FA Cup

Jess has been a regular in Robert Vilahamn’s starting XI so far this season, featuring in all six games and scoring twice, and she reflected on a positive start in front of goal for the team, with nine different goalscorers in the WSL in the opening five games.

“We have been playing some good football,” she added. “In the final third, we have created some good chances this season, especially having so many different goalscorers, and it feels like a team performance.

“For me, it was just important to build on that confidence from last term, getting more goals and assists early on, and scoring in that first league game gave me that confidence boost.”

The forward was also named in Sarina Wiegman’s first England squad of the 2024/25 campaign for upcoming friendlies against Germany and South Africa and, after making her Lionesses debut back in July, 2024, Jess is relishing another opportunity on the international stage.

“It has been such a great experience for me,” she said. “I want to be in that environment and the levels I want to achieve, so every time I get selected, I’m very grateful to be around such great players, learning from them and using the experience as much as I can.

“This call-up feels even more special because I wasn’t on standby this time, I was actually named in the squad and the belief from Sarina and all the players gives me so confidence to continue what I’m doing.”

Be at our next home game

We return to WSL action next weekend (Sunday 3 November) as we welcome West Ham United to Brisbane Road for another London derby and tickets are now available to buy - secure your seat now!