Arsenal and Tottenham might be close geographically, but on the pitch, they were worlds apart.
A 5-2 victory for the Gunners doesn’t tell half of what was a story Renee Slegers’ side dominated from start to finish.
A first-half hat-trick from Alessia Russo, coupled with second-half strikes from Caitlin Foord and Stina Blackstenius, extended Spurs’ record of never winning at the Emirates for another year.
Spurs did score a brace to make the scoreline a respectable one, though even they were down to Arsenal errors. The first, a Frida Maanum own goal heading into her own net from a corner; the second, a Beth England strike that fell through the fingers of the returning Van Domselaar.
They were outworked, outclassed, outplayed – no two ways about it.
Arsenal made five changes from the side that beat Chelsea in the week. Daphne van Domselaar, Steph Catley, Frida Maanum, Olivia Smith and Smilla Holmberg all came in as Renee Slegers looked to rest key players before the Champions League second leg.
Meanwhile, Martin Ho made just a single change. Defender, Toko Koga returned from the Asia Cup to sure up Spurs’ leaky defence with Julie Blakstad dropping to the bench.
The carnage began early. Less than five minutes to be precise. Katie McCabe’s first corner of the match was converted by the head of Russo, who was left unmarked inside the six-yard box – never a wise move.
Two minutes later, Russo had her second. Olivia Smith’s threaded ball was perfectly weighted for her striker to round Kop and slide into an empty net.
Spurs got one back before the break, though through minimal effort of their own. Molly Bartrip’s front post flick on from a corner was bulleted in off the skull of Frida Maanum. Muted celebrations, of course, they had been played off the park to this point.
Perhaps it can be considered sporting to provide their rivals with a goal. Nevertheless, the respite was short-lived.
England international Russo completed her hat-trick before even the half hour; this time, a gift from Lize Kop. Unrushed, unpressured, the goalkeeper inexplicably passed straight to Russo on the penalty spot who rightfully obliged to blast away.
Things didn’t get any easier for Spurs after the break. Russo, Smith and Chloe Kelly were all removed within 15 minutes of the interval. However, only to be replaced by Sina Blackstenius, Beth Mead and Caitlin Foord. And the latter plunged the visitors further into the abyss on the hour mark.
The Australian marked her return after winning the Asia Cup with a goal by lashing past Kop at the near post after being left idle to receive a Smilla Holmberg cross.
Amanda Nilden was fortunate to escape without a second booking with 15 minutes to play for a late sliding challenge on Victoria Pelova. The free kick that followed was neatly tipped onto the bar by Kop to deny McCabe.
Beth England’s strike shortly after coming on sparked an element of resilience in the final ten minutes. Signe Gaupset was a bright spark as always but a few wild potshots weren’t going to undo the damage done in the first 45.
Blackstenius applied the icing to the cake in stoppage time, slotting past Kop on her 100th appearance for Arsenal to complete the rout.
The win promotes Arsenal into second above both Manchester United and Chelsea as the race for Champions League qualifications continues. However, the Blues have the chance to leapfrog the Gunners when they play Aston Villa on Sunday.
Spurs remain in fifth, in midtable limbo, as they sit nine points clear of Everton in sixth yet eight behind Chelsea in fourth.
Paul Edwards
Paul, often known as Eddie, is the Editor-in-Chief for the Sports Gazette, as well as a keen football enthusiast. As a sports freak, he can often be found ranting about how his lookalike, Lewis Hall, should be in the England squad or how Rehan Ahmed is criminally overrated. Paul publishes his projects on Substack (@pauledwards123) as well as writing for Hampton and Richmond Borough FC. His passion for sport is palpable, and he is excited for the opportunity to write about the ups and downs of high-level sport. Contact him via [email protected].
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