Arsenal ended their five-game winless run in the Women's Super League with a 2-1 north London derby victory over Tottenham, easing pressure on head coach Renée Slegers.
The Gunners had won only once in their opening six league games and started the weekend eighth, six points behind fourth-placed Spurs. They fell behind to Cathinka Tandberg's 13th-minute header but Georgia Stanway equalised four minutes later before Alessia Russo converted a second-half penalty.
Tottenham started brightly and exposed Arsenal's defensive weaknesses in transition, but their intensity faded as the first half progressed. Russo was denied by an outstanding Lize Kop save after the break before scoring from the spot in the 56th minute, after the ball struck substitute Ella Morris' outstretched hand during a scramble from a corner.
The penalty decision was a harsh one but Russo, who has missed some big chances in recent games, made no mistake to give Arsenal the lead.
Spurs pushed for an equaliser, with Shekiera Martinez having the ball in the net from close range in the 82nd minute, only for the offside flag to deny them. Arsenal held on for a much-needed win, offering some breathing room after a dismal start.
13: GOAL! Tandberg fires Tottenham ahead as Pelova's corner catches Arsenal out.
17: GOAL! Stanway levels for Arsenal with a powerful strike after Russo's pass.
50: Sombath is stretchered off following an injury, with Morris coming on for Tottenham.
54: WHAT A SAVE! Kop makes an outstanding one-on-one save to deny Russo after Foord pulls the ball back.
56: GOAL! Russo sends Kop the wrong way from the penalty spot to put Arsenal ahead after the ball strikes Morris' hand in the box.
Analysis: Did Arsenal just revive their season with derby win?
Sky Sports' William Bitibiri:
"Could this be the moment Arsenal's season finally takes off? A north London derby win might be exactly what Renée Slegers needed.
"Arsenal arrived at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium under real pressure, winless in five WSL games and with just five goals in six matches.
"Defeat would have intensified questions over Slegers' future. Instead, her side showed some much-needed resilience to come from behind and claim a huge three points.
"It wasn't perfect. Arsenal looked nervous early on, conceded from a corner and remained vulnerable in transition.
"But Georgia Stanway's response was emphatic, while Alessia Russo delivered the decisive moment from the penalty spot after being denied by Lize Kop moments earlier.
"The result will lift confidence, particularly for Russo, who has struggled for her usual clinical edge. A derby victory can change the mood around a club, and the travelling supporters made their relief clear.
"Now Arsenal must build on it. One win will not fix their season, but this could be the turning point Slegers desperately needed."
Slegers: Spurs win will energise Arsenal
Renee Slegers believes Arsenal's 2-1 north London derby victory over Tottenham can kick-start their season after ending a five-game winless run in the Women's Super League.
The Gunners came from behind to claim a much-needed three points, easing pressure on Slegers and lifting the mood after a difficult run of results.
"We had a run of games where results haven't been good enough. It was frustrating for everyone. This will definitely energise us," she told BBC Sport.
"We need to back this up in the next couple of games. We want to be more consistent but this was a really good step. It's positive energy we want to capitalise on, but it's only a step."
Slegers was particularly pleased with the connection between her players and the travelling supporters, who celebrated with the team at full-time.
"The fans were on our minds. We wanted to play for something bigger, not only for ourselves," she said.
"I'm so happy we got it for them. We said we would play for the fans. We played for them and connected with them."
Arsenal must now turn the derby victory into sustained momentum, with Slegers insisting there is still work to do.
"We need to back this up in the next couple of games. We want to be more consistent but this was a really good step. It's positive energy we want to capitalise on, but it's only a step."
