Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham: Alessia Russo scores first-half hat-trick as Spurs thrashed in WSL derby

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·28 March 2026

Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham: Alessia Russo scores first-half hat-trick as Spurs thrashed in WSL derby

Gunners up to second after Emirates Stadium rout but Manchester City take another key step towards title

Alessia Russo's first Arsenal hat-trick propelled the Gunners to a 5-2 north London derby victory over Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium to move up to second place in the Women’s Super League (WSL).

The England striker opened the scoring with a fifth-minute header and completed her hat-trick less than 22 minutes later after a mistake by Tottenham keeper Lize Kop gifted Arsenal a goal.

Russo's third had restored the Gunners' two-goal advantage following a Frida Maanum own goal, and Caitlin Foord added a fourth after the break.

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Tottenham substitute Bethany England - marking her 200th WSL appearance - reduced the deficit before Arsenal substitute Stina Blackstenius added their fifth in second-half stoppage time.

Victory moved Arsenal on to 38 points, drawing them level with third-placed Manchester United but with the advantage on goal difference.

The Gunners have two games in hand over both United and league leaders Manchester City, who sit 11 points clear.

Earlier, Vivianne Miedema scored twice as City took another step towards the WSL title with a dominant 3-0 win over United at Old Trafford.

The Netherlands striker bagged a three-minute brace inside the opening 20 minutes before Kerstin Casparij swept in a third early at the start of the second half.

Ceri Holland's brace helped 10-woman Liverpool claim Merseyside bragging rights with a 3-2 win over Everton.

Holland's first-half double in between an own goal by Martina Fernandez put Liverpool in control and, although the visitors had Grace Fisk sent off either side of Everton goals for Aurora Galli and Zara Kramzar, Gareth Taylor's side held on for all three points.