Arsenal strolled to a convincing 5-1 win in the North London derby over Spurs to keep alive their WSL title chances.
The Gunners couldn't afford to drop points on women's football weekend, with fellow contenders facing off tomorrow when holders Chelsea make the trip to Man City. And they produced an emphatic display at the home of their local rivals to stay in the hunt a first league title since 2019.
And they silenced a lively Brisbane Road crowd after only five minutes when Stina Blackstenius ran onto a sublime pass from England skipper Leah Williamson, to fire a fine finish past Tinja-Rikka Korpela. Arsenal were then rolling when winger Caitlin Foord cut inside to bend a shot into the far corner for 2-0.
Tottenham did produce a marginally better derby showing than during their 4-0 defeat back in September and at least got back into the contest when awarded a penalty after a loose ball struck the arm of Katie McCabe. Record-signing Beth England converting the spot-kick in cool fashion.
But any chance of this derby finishing level ended when Kim Little fired in a penalty of her own, with Foord firing in off the post for her second of the game only minutes later. Frida Maanum then rounded off the win with a superb curling effort from the edge of the box.
Here are the key talking points.
Arsenal bounce back from hard-fought Bayern defeat
Responding to adversity has been a trademark of Arsenal's season. And that was the case again today as the Gunners returned to winning ways after Tuesday's loss in Germany to Bayern Munich.
Jonas Eidevall's team didn't deserve that defeat, outplaying the German giants for large spells. But there were no traces of moping in today's derby display.
As soon as Blackstenius latched onto Williamson's pass in the opening stages, Arsenal set the tone for an impressive display. They always looked one step ahead of their opponents, moving the ball quickly and creating chances at will. The only minor issue for the visitors was substitute Gio Queiroz limping off late on.
Clumsy defending ends Spurs' revival hopes
Tottenham were handed a lifeline to get back into the contest not long before half-time, when Beth England sent Sabrina D'Angelo the wrong way after McCabe handled in the area. But referee Louise Sanders pointed to the spot for the second time after the break, giving Arsenal the chance to wrestle back control of the contest.
McCabe was this time the victim of a foul, caught in the area by a clumsy looking challenge from Amy Turner, who had earlier produced a goal-saving tackle to deny Blackstenius her second. It was the type of defensive lapse that explains why Spurs are struggling at the wrong end of the WSL this year.
Skipper Kim Little emphatically fired home her her third penalty in five games in the 66th minute. From then on the result was never in doubt.
Tottenham's decline leaves them miles away from North London rivals
Whilst it is great to see a big derby as part of women's football weekend, sadly this fails to be a real competitive watch. Beth England's penalty did give them hope at half-time of this one, but in truth Arsenal were head and shoulders above their local rivals.
The fact the away section began chanting "we want five" with over 15 minutes left to play spoke volumes about Tottenham's decline this year. Frida Maanum duly obliging not long after.
In this fixture last season only a 92nd minute goal from Viv Miedema prevented a Spurs win. But in both games this season they have been unable to lay a glove on their neighbours, albeit after a better display today than in the first meeting of the campaign.
Even if Spurs do survive relegation to the second-tier this season, a major rebuild is needed this summer. That is if they even want to think about being competitive in this fixture next season.
Lively Foord hitting her best form as run-in looms
Once again Caitlin Foord was one of the standout performers in a red shirt just as she had been in Munich on Wednesday. The Aussie forward's goal just before the half hour mark summed up the Arsenal display - with quality on the ball and excellent decision-making both on show.
With Spurs' Celin Bizet wanting to get forward whenever possible - Arsenal had plenty of space to exploit down the left channel. This gave both Foord and Katie McCabe plenty of chances to run at white shirts and Spurs struggled to halt attacks down that side.
With Foord showing her best form of the season and Swede Stina Blackstenius looking reinvigorated down the middle, the Arsenal attack is starting to look more menacing week-by-week. The players look determined that whatever happens, the injuries to Beth Mead and Viv Miedema won't be used as excuses come May.
Spurs survival will be determined next month
As they did in the home defeats to Chelsea and Man United, Tottenham refused to give-in and battled hard for long periods of this game. Beth England still looks a tad isolated at times, but her goal return since arriving from Chelsea in January, can't be disputed.
They are still not out of the woods when it comes to WSL survival, but that won't be determined by a defeat to Arsenal. Instead the two home games against Aston Villa and relegation rivals Brighton could define the season.
Lose both and they face a nervy final three games of the season, particularly if Leicester pick up a win in the coming weeks. Interim boss Vicky Jepson won't panic off the back of this display - but there is still work to be done.
