Arsenal Women beat Tottenham 2-1 in north London derby as Russo penalty ends winless run

Arsenal Women ended a five-match winless run in the Women’s Super League with a 2-1 north London derby victory over Tottenham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday (BBC Sport).

Tottenham struck first in the 13th minute, when Cathinka Tandberg headed in from a corner. Arsenal hit back four minutes later, with Georgia Stanway powering home after Alessia Russo’s pass.

The second half began with a blow for the hosts, as Alice Sombath was stretchered off and replaced by Ella Morris. Russo was twice denied by Tottenham goalkeeper Lize Kop after the break before the decisive moment in the 56th minute, when the ball struck substitute Morris’s outstretched hand during a scramble from a corner and Russo converted the penalty, sending Kop the wrong way.

The win, Arsenal’s second of the league season, moved them up to sixth in the Women’s Super League and eased the pressure on head coach Renée Slegers after a dismal start to the campaign. Tottenham, who questioned the penalty decision, suffered a third straight league defeat.

Slegers said she was happy for her players, who had stuck together in a difficult period, describing the win as a step in the right direction. Russo said the team had known some players would have to step up in different moments.