Arsenal end winless run with north London derby win

Arsenal beat Tottenham 2-1 in the Women’s Super League on Saturday to end a five-match winless run and ease mounting pressure on manager Renee Slegers. The north London derby victory gives them a lift, but Slegers said the team must build on it in their next matches.

Arsenal came from behind at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Georgia Stanway equalised Cathinka Tandberg’s opening goal four minutes after Spurs went ahead. Alessia Russo then scored from the penalty spot in the second half after a shot hit the post and Tandberg’s clearance struck team-mate Ella Morris’s outstretched hand.

The penalty decision was contentious. BBC Sport reported that Arsenal had to rely on luck and a controversial refereeing call to win, while former Arsenal defender Gilly Flaherty said the team had been “causing their own problems” in an unconvincing first half.

The result ended a difficult spell for Arsenal, who had beaten only Brighton in their first six league matches and started the day in the bottom half of the table. Slegers had faced regular questions about her future, and defeat to their rivals could have intensified scrutiny.

After the final whistle, players celebrated with supporters rather than holding their usual on-pitch team huddle. Slegers said the team wanted to play for the fans and that the run of poor results had been frustrating for everyone. “This will definitely energise us,” she said.

But she also called the win “only a step” and said Arsenal needed to back it up in their next couple of games. They face Benfica in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday, then have four home matches in November and a trip to Barcelona. Their title hopes may be over, BBC Sport reported, but a top-three league finish is important for securing European football next season.