Russo sparks Arsenal cruise against Tottenham in WSL North London derby | Women’s Super League

A rejuvenated Arsenal enjoyed a fifth win from six games unbeaten under interim manager Renée Slegers as they cruised to a surprisingly easy win away to neighbors Tottenham in a disappointingly one-sided north London derby.

It took just 64 seconds for Arsenal to take the lead, with England striker Alessia Russo emphatically slotting in a first-time strike with her left foot before Tottenham had barely had a chance to touch the ball and when a neat passing move led. When Norwegian midfielder Frida Maanum was given too much time and space in the box to strike the ball low into the bottom corner for Arsenal’s second in the 22nd minute, the game felt as good as over.

Only a fingertip save from Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar prevented Bethany England from pulling a goal back for Tottenham shortly before half-time when she put a rising strike on target, but the steady stream of Arsenal traffic didn’t really slow down and they resumed their dominance after the break.

The away side appear to have found a good balance for their team, particularly with Australian defender Steph Catley deployed as a left-footed centre-back alongside England captain Leah Williamson, rather than at left-back, and their 4-2-3-1 setup seemed to bring out the best in Russo, who held the ball up with strength and had eager runners on either side of him.

With Russo brought off, Arsenal substitute Stina Blackstenius clipped a first-time effort onto the top of the bar from a Katie McCabe cut-back moments before scoring the visitors’ third goal. The Swedish centre-forward was played on the side of a limp Tottenham backline and tucked the ball comfortably past a powerless Becky Spencer, much to the delight of the packed section of away supporters in one corner of the bottom row.

The defeat was Tottenham’s fifth in their last six games and their manager Robert Vilahamn cut a somber figure as this rather flat emotional derby ended, in stark contrast to the euphoric scenes this stadium had witnessed when his side beat Arsenal last term . for the first time in the WSL.