Arsenal's victory over Tottenham on Saturday meant more than usual. It was not just a win against their rivals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but a first in six Women's Super League matches and a huge release of pressure. Upon hearing the final whistle, confirming their 2-1 success, Arsenal's players ran towards their supporters in the away end to celebrate passionately.
It was a visible show of emotion, a moment of relief and a sense things could finally be turning in their favour after a disappointing WSL start where they had beaten only Brighton. Could it now be the catalyst to repair a campaign that looked to have been derailed in just two months. Spurs boss Ho wants 'more support and training' for WSL referees Arsenal come from behind to beat Spurs in north London derby Find interviews and extra content on the BBC Women's Football Weekly feed Arsenal started the day in the bottom half of the table, four points off fourth-placed Tottenham and 12 points behind leaders Manchester City.
With their title ambitions in ruins, manager Renee Slegers was facing weekly questions about her future and defeat by Spurs could have been the last straw. Confidence was at an all-time low and a high-stakes north London derby was not the ideal game to go into with no momentum. The nerves were obvious as there were misplaced passes, poor clearances and sloppy errors in a disjointed first half.
Tottenham had even taken the lead, although they held it for just four minutes as Georgia Stanway's powerful strike cancelled out a header from Cathinka Tandberg. When asked what she said to the players at half-time, boss Slegers revealed: "I just gave constructive and tactical things that could help us to get the win, and remind us about the fight and intensity on the pitch. The team were in a good place and were finding solutions themselves.
It was just constructive messaging." Arsenal were much better in the second half, putting more pressure on Tottenham and getting the winning goal they needed. Referee Phoebe Cross pointed to the spot when Lisa Baum's shot bounced off the post and Tandberg's clearance hit the outstretched hand of her Spurs team-mate Ella Morris nearby. Alessia Russo, who had failed to convert a big chance just moments earlier, made no mistake the second time around and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Lize Kop.
She roared in celebration and sprinted towards the away fans - an outburst of emotion that was replicated at full-time by England team-mate Leah Williamson. Slegers stood back as her players enjoyed the adulation from supporters. They had finally delivered a win and the fans had something to sing about.
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