Alessia Russo achieved her first hat trick for Arsenal, leading the team to a 5-2 triumph over Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium, elevating them to second in the Women’s Super League standings.
The England forward opened the scoring just five minutes in with a header and completed her hat trick within 22 minutes, aided by a mistake from Tottenham goalkeeper Lize Kop.
Russo’s third goal restored Arsenal’s two-goal lead after a Frida Maanum own goal, with Caitlin Foord adding a fourth goal shortly after halftime.
Tottenham’s substitute Bethany England, celebrating her 200th WSL appearance, narrowed the scoreline before Arsenal’s substitute Stina Blackstenius secured a fifth goal during stoppage time.
With this victory, Arsenal raised their total points to 38, equal with third-placed Manchester United, but holding a superior goal difference.
The Gunners also have two games in hand over both United and league leaders Manchester City, who are currently 11 points ahead.
Russo started strong, powering in a header from a corner taken by Katie McCabe, and then extended the lead two minutes later by intercepting a pass from Olivia Smith and skillfully rounding Kop to finish neatly off the far post.
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Spurs managed to pull one back in the 20th minute, with a header initially credited to Cathinka Tandberg, later attributed to a Frida Maanum own goal following an aerial tussle.
Russo completed her hat trick in the 27th minute when Kop made an unfortunate error, giving the ball directly to the on-form forward, who calmly finished into the net.
Foord added to the score in the 61st minute, expertly controlling a cross from Smilla Holmberg before curling a shot into the top corner.
England, who substituted in for Tandberg with under 20 minutes to go, immediately tested Daphne van Domselaar with a terrific shot that forced a diving save.
She then made history by becoming the first Tottenham player to score at the Emirates in a North London derby, curling a shot into the far corner in the 78th minute. However, Blackstenius sealed Arsenal’s victory by slotting the ball past Kop deep in stoppage time.