Can We Stop Talking About Alex Morgan for a Bit & Just Enjoy the WSL, Please?

The full time whistle confirmed Tottenham's third defeat of the WSL season. Karen Hills and Juan Amoros' side had turned in a resolute performance and frustrated their opponents for large portions of the game, but they had ultimately succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United after conceding from a set piece.

But despite her not setting foot on the pitch, despite her not actually being in the squad, large parts of the post match discussion were dedicated to Alex Morgan.

It's understandable - she's a two-time World Cup winner, a sporting icon and arguably the biggest name to have ever graced the WSL.

But give the poor woman a bit of privacy. She hasn't kicked a ball competitively for Spurs but four games into signing for the club, you could already cobble together a 30-minute montage of Morgan in the stands pulling all of her favourite poses - having a drink, wearing a face mask and looking a bit chilly in her Spurs puffer jacket.

Imagine the utter chaos that will erupt when she actually steps onto the pitch. There'll be an Amazon Prime documentary, a deep dive from the Athletic and a BBC Panorama series. And we here at 90min will probably be just as guilty with a Twitter reacts at the very least.

That also places a great deal of pressure and expectation on a player who has not played competitively for over a year to instantly hit her previous heights once that long awaited day comes.

The weekly reveal of the Spurs starting XI suddenly has all the expectancy, anticipation and heightened buildup of an X Factor judges houses announcement.

We understand the hype, it's Alex Morgan. But it's turning into a Ross and Rachel will-they-won't-they-esque narrative - but instead of David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston kissing in Central Perk, it's Hills and Amoros giving Morgan a 10 minute cameo against Bristol City in the Continental Cup - and this is detracting from an appreciation of any other WSL action.

It has taken the spotlight off Morgan's Orlando Pride teammate Alanna Kennedy, who has been excellent since arriving at Spurs on loan during the transfer window, and who put in another superb, combative performance in the heart of the Tottenham midfield against Manchester United.

The fact that Morgan didn't play - which we knew she wouldn't once the squads were announced at 11:30 - even dominated parts of the post-match analysis, taking the sheen off another good result for United. The Red Devils are well in with a shot at European football this season and demonstrated their credentials with a gritty win over a hardworking Spurs, thanks in part to a thoroughly impressive first start from Tobin Heath.

Heath's balance, quick feet and intelligence means she has taken to the WSL at a canter, alongside USWNT teammate Sam Mewis at Manchester City. Mewis is already starting to dominate games from the middle of the park, her athleticism, drive and sharpness so awe inspiring to watch.

Mewis and Heath are two of countless world class stars to have rocked up onto English shores during the transfer window - Pernille Harder, Lucy Bronze, Rose Lavelle, Christen Press - joining a league already flourishing with talent - Ji So-Yun, Vivianne Miedema, Caroline Weir, Jackie Groenen, Izzy Christiansen.

Everton have already knocked Chelsea out of the FA Cup, while Manchester United and Brighton have already taken points off Chelsea and Manchester City.

This has the makings of the best, most competitive WSL season in history. Let's try and focus on the quality unfolding on the pitch, as opposed to getting preoccupied by a superstar sitting in the stands.