Match Report: Spurs 0-3 Arsenal

Interim boss Renée Slegers continued to stake her claim to be the next permanent head coach of Arsenal Women, as her side eased to a 3-0 victory in the North London Derby.

Arsenal got off to the dream start as they went ahead with just a minute on the clock. Mariona Caldentey's through ball was deflected into the path of Alessia Russo, who struck the ball past Rebecca Spencer whilst on the turn to get her third goal in as many WSL matches. 

The visitors continued to dominate possession and they were rewarded with a second goal halfway through the first half. Leah Williamson found Frida Maanum in space, who played a sharp 1-2 with Kim Little before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner to double her side's advantage with just over 20 minutes played. 

The first booking of the game went Tottenham's way - Drew Spence being cautioned for a tactical foul on Caitlin Foord shortly after the second goal. 

Spurs' first real chance came on 35 minutes. A heavy touch from Kim Little allowed Spence to gain possession and find Bethany England, whose fizzing shot forced Daphne van Domselaar into an excellent save to prevent the ball from nestling in the top corner. Spence was then lucky to not see red after her earlier booking as she was adjudged to have handled the ball on the edge of the Spurs penalty area but escaped without further caution. 

Renée Slegers turned to her bench at half-time, with Kyra Cooney-Cross coming on to replace Kim Little, handing the armband to Williamson. 

Spurs received their second booking on 52 minutes after Clare Hunt dragged Caitlin Foord back just outside the penalty area, but Katie McCabe could only find Spencer in goal from the free-kick. 

Arsenal continued to pile on the pressure as Russo put a teasing ball across the face of the Spurs goal, which could only be turned wide by Foord. 

Slegers then made a double change, bringing on Beth Mead for Caitlin Foord and Stina Blackstenius on for Russo and it would be Blackstenius that would play the role of the super sub. Her first touch was inside the Spurs six yard box but she could only sweep the ball over the bar following a driving run from McCabe. However, just two minutes later, she would have a chance to redeem herself. Having received the ball from Maanum, Caldentey played a deft through ball into the path of Blackstenius, who calmly poked the ball past Spencer to put Arsenal further ahead - allowing the players to celebrate in front of a sold-out away end of 3,038 travelling fans.

Spurs responded by bringing on Olga Ahtinen for Clare Hunt in an attempt to salvage something from the game and what followed was Arsenal breaking up periods of Spurs pressure with fouls - resulting in McCabe and Cooney-Cross receiving yellow cards in quick succession. 

Rosa Kafaji then replaced Caldentey and Lotte Wubben-Moy returned from her concussion problems to replace Katie McCabe. 

Frida Maanum had a chance to score a fourth for Arsenal in injury time but blazed her effort well over the crossbar.

The result means that Arsenal have remained unbeaten under the leadership of Renée Slegers, winning three on the spin in all competitions. As of Saturday evening, they are sat in fourth place, one point behind Brighton in third and six points adrift of Chelsea in first, having played a game more than their London rivals. 

The Gunners are back in action on Thursday night, as they welcome Juventus to Emirates Stadium in the UWCL, looking for a repeat of their 4-0 away win in Turin last week. 

Attendance: 28,852 (3,038 away fans)