A first-half hat-trick from Alessia Russo gave Arsenal a 5-2 victory over north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Women’s Super League on Saturday. The Gunners already have one eye on their Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea, who they beat 3-1 in the first leg on Tuesday before traveling to Stamford Bridge in midweek, and they ensured they are on course to qualify for next season’s edition with a thumping league victory.
Arsenal took the lead in the fifth minute, without much difficulty. On a corner taken inside by Katie McCabe, Russo, alone in the middle of space, placed a powerful header into the bottom corner of the goal.
Moments later, Russo doubled the home side’s advantage. Olivia Smith reacted quickly to turn into space just outside the penalty area, and she slipped a pass to Russo who beat goalkeeper Lize Kop and pushed the ball into the empty goal.
Spurs managed to score their first ever WSL goal at the Emirates and equalized at half-time. Another superb corner was deflected by Amanda Nilden towards Cathinka Tandberg, and the ball hit Arsenal’s Frida Maanum before flying past Daphne van Domselaar and into the net.
But the visitors’ joy was short-lived as Russo completed her hat-trick in the 27th minute, with Kop serving the ball straight to her for her to score from close range.
Renee Slegers made the most of her squad’s depth to Arsenal’s advantage in the second half, with substitute Caitlin Foord adding the Gunners’ fourth goal with a powerful strike at the near post following a deep cross from Smilla Holmberg.
Tottenham reduced the deficit to two goals after Matilda Vinberg deflected the ball with her chest towards Bethany England, whose shot proved too powerful for Van Domselaar.
On the last ball of the match, Stina Blackstenius escaped to score and embellish the score, allowing Arsenal to claim their 11th consecutive victory in all competitions and move up to second place in the WSL table after Manchester United’s defeat against undisputed leader Manchester City earlier in the day on Saturday.
GOAL notes the Arsenal players at the Emirates…
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