Tottenham Women 1-2 Arsenal Women: Russo penalty sinks Spurs as north London derby bragging rights go to Gunners
Tottenham Women suffered a third straight defeat in the Women's Super League as Arsenal came from behind at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to win 2-1, with Alessia Russo's second-half penalty settling a tight north London derby.
Spurs made the brighter start and took the lead in the 13th minute when Cathinka Tandberg rose highest to head home from a Victoria Pelova cross following a corner. The lead did not last long, though, as Arsenal levelled just four minutes later through Georgia Stanway, who finished from the centre of the box after being teed up by Russo.
The game stayed level at the break, but Arsenal turned the screw after the restart and were awarded a penalty on the hour mark, which Russo converted calmly into the bottom corner to make it 2-1 in the 56th minute. Spurs pushed for an equaliser but could not find a way back.
It was a feisty afternoon with four yellow cards shown to Tottenham players - Toko Koga, Eveliina Summanen, Caitlin Dijkstra and Signe Gaupset all booked - while Arsenal picked up two, for Georgia Stanway and Kyra Cooney-Cross. There was also a stoppage in the second half when Alice Sombath had to be withdrawn through injury, with Ella Morris coming on in her place.
Arsenal dominated possession with almost 60 per cent of the ball and had the clearer chances, firing 14 shots to Tottenham's five, with five of those on target compared to just one for the hosts. Spurs were disciplined in defence, making 24 clearances and 13 successful tackles, but could not find enough of a foothold going forward to trouble Arsenal's goal beyond Tandberg's opener.
The result means Tottenham's run in the WSL now reads WWLLL across their last five league games, having followed up big wins over Crystal Palace and Aston Villa with back-to-back defeats to London City Lionesses and Chelsea before this loss to Arsenal. Arsenal, by contrast, end a run of draws and defeats with a win, their own last five in the WSL reading DLLDW.
Despite the defeat, Tottenham remain fourth in the Women's Super League table on 10 points from seven games, while Arsenal's win lifts them to 9 points, though they sit below Spurs in sixth. Both sides now have plenty to ponder as the season progresses, with Tottenham needing to find a response after three defeats in a row.
Written with the help of AI, using the match facts and the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
