The first Women’s Super League north London derby of the season ended in a 2-1 win to Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
Cathinka Tandberg headed Spurs into an early lead but we responded well, equalising shortly after thanks to an excellent Georgia Stanway finish.
Alessia Russo fired us in front from the penalty spot early in the second half to secure all three points.
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We had the first sight of goal as Stanway played a nice one-two with Russo before getting a shot away from a narrow angle on her left foot, but it was straight at Lize Kop, who spilled the ball before pushing it behind for a corner.
Kyra Cooney-Cross’ delivery came out to Stanway and her half-volley was blocked.
Moments later, the home side took the lead, Victoria Pelova’s corner headed in by Tandberg for 1-0 to Spurs.
But we were only behind for four minutes as Olivia Smith found Russo in a dangerous area at the other end, and she turned to go back to Stanway, who cushioned it in off the crossbar with an excellent side-footed first-time strike to equalise.
Form Gunner Pelova then fired over the bar from the edge of the 18-yard box, before Caitlin Foord’s cross was headed wide of the target by Emily Fox.
TAKING CONTROL
Kop showed great reflexes early in the second half to deny Russo’s first-time effort after Stanway found Foord and she crossed for our number 23, but there was nothing the Spurs goalkeeper could do about our next efforts.
A Cooney-Cross corner was met by Williamson and then fired towards the post by Lisa Baum, but the referee pointed to the spot after a handball by Ella Morris.
Russo stepped up to convert, slotting into the bottom left corner and sending Kop the wrong way before going to celebrate in front of almost 4,000 Arsenal supporters.
We kept up the hunt for goals as Williamson’s cross came out to Russo and she struck with power but Kop was equal to it, before Pelova’s cross was headed towards goal by Signe Gaupset, but it was an easy catch for Misa Rodriguez.
Our first change came in the 71st minute, when Renée Slegers brough Ona Batlle on for Fox, and Elisa de Almeida was next up, coming on for Steph Catley.
Spurs came close to pulling one back with eight minutes to go as Kirsty Hanson’s cross found Shekiera Martinez who steers it towards goal, but Misa showed great reflexes to save and the flag went up for offside anyway.
Smilla Holmberg and Stina Blackstenius came on for Baum and Smith in the 87th minute as we looked to hold onto the lead, but we continued looking to increase it as Holmberg’s cross was hit wide by Foord as seven minutes were added on.
We protected the lead confidently though, coming away from Tottenham with a win that demonstrated strong character.
WHAT'S NEXT
UEFA Women's Champions League football returns to Meadow Park in Borehamwood, where we take on Benfica at 8pm on Wednesday. Get your tickets!