The Lionesses striker reached 10 league goals for the season as Renee Slegers' side capitalised on a shock result for the Red Devils at Anfield
Alessia Russo scored twice as Arsenal secured a three huge points on Friday night, with a 3-1 win over Everton allowing the Gunners to leapfrog Manchester United in the Women's Super League and assume the role as Chelsea's closest challengers for a title that, admittedly, the Blues appear to have one hand on. The Red Devils spurned the chance to close the gap at the top to five points at Anfield, losing 3-1 to Liverpool, and that allowed Arsenal to go above them on goal difference, with Chelsea maintaining their eight-point gap despite the two sides below swapping places.
It wasn't easy for the Gunners to move up the standings, though, with Everton pegging them back before the break. The Toffees have found goals much easier to come by since a strong January window and it was good work from Kelly Gago, one of their winter signings, that Toni Payne profited from to bag an equaliser that cancelled out Russo's opener. But Arsenal had much more to turn to on their bench and just three minutes after Renee Slegers made a quadruple change, the visitors went ahead again, with Caitlin Foord's pressure on Maren Mjelde helping to force an own goal from the Everton defender.
It was another substitute, Beth Mead, who set up Arsenal's third and final goal of the night, with her perfect pass to Russo allowing the striker to round Courtney Brosnan and tap into an empty net. It took her to 10 league goals for the season and made sure of a win which significantly boosts the Gunners' chances of securing Champions League football for next season.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Walton Hall Park…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Manuela Zinsberger (6/10):
Didn't have much to do, with a strong save early on her stand-out moment. Was composed with the ball at her feet.
Emily Fox (7/10):
Managed her attacking and defending duties well, doing both to a high level. No one won possession back more often.
Leah Williamson (6/10):
Mopped up nicely on a few occasions at the back, though was a little loose in possession at times.
Steph Catley (6/10):
Had a couple of sloppy moments but was generally solid. Unlucky not to score with a great header that struck the bar.
Katie McCabe (8/10):
Got forward well and was one of Arsenal's most dangerous attacking threats. Almost everything good about their play in the final third went through her.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield
Lia Walti (5/10):
Was guilty of a few loose touches throughout the first half and one eventually proved costly, when it allowed Everton in for their equaliser.
Kim Little (7/10):
Showed great movement, always demanded the ball and kept Arsenal's attacks ticking over nicely in a lively performance. A surprise to see her withdrawn on the hour.
Frida Maanum (5/10):
Good when involved but was too quiet for that to be particularly effective.
Getty ImagesAttack
Chloe Kelly (5/10):
Grew into the game and started to become more of a threat as it progressed, albeit was never as dangerous as she'd have liked to have been before going off on the hour.
Alessia Russo (8/10):
Showed great composure for both of her goals. Pressed well, worked hard and showed good movement throughout. An excellent display.
Mariona Caldentey (6/10):
Got on the ball plenty and tried make a difference. Results were hard to come by at times but she had her moments.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Caitlin Foord (7/10):
Was an impactful introduction, forcing Mjelde into the own goal and hitting the inside of the post with a great strike. Added lots of energy and impetus.
Beth Mead (7/10):
Another effective substitute, whose perfect pass to Russo set up the third goal. Worked hard off the ball as well as providing creativity.
Kyra Cooney-Cross (7/10):
Settled brilliantly into midfield and literally did not put a foot wrong, completing all of her 25 passes.
Stina Blackstenius (6/10):
Probably should've had a goal or two but her finishing and awareness let her down on a few occasions. Still, she gave Everton more to think about and put them on the back foot often.
Lina Hurtig (N/A):
A late introduction when Fox needed to come off. Deserves credit for how she filled in at right-back.
Renee Slegers (8/10):
Was proactive with her substitutions when things weren't going Arsenal's way and they paid off immediately.
