Five-star Arsenal thrash Spurs as James strikes late to beat Everton

Russo helps Arsenal thump Spurs

Alessia Russo produced a player-of-the-match display as Arsenal thrashed north London rivals Tottenham in front of 55,784 fans at the Emirates.

• How the teams lined up | Match stats

The England striker caused havoc all afternoon for the visiting defence, firstly getting on the end of Kyra Cooney-Cross' centre to seemingly open the scoring on the quarter-hour mark, only for it to go down as a Clare Hunt own goal after her header took a nick off the Spurs defender on its way into the net at the far post.

Maria Caldentey's piledriver deservedly doubled the home side's lead 10 minutes before half-time, before Frida Maanum's shot took a massive deflection off the unfortunate Hunt as the Gunners wet 3-0 up six minutes into the second half, with Russo the provider.

Fittingly, it was Russo who added a fourth just before the hour mark, collecting Caitlin Foord's pass, before finding the bottom corner with a low drive, although the best strike was left for last.

Not closed down, US right-back Emily Fox decided to try her luck from distance, finding the top corner for her first WSL goal as Renee Slegers's side stayed in touch with champions Chelsea at the top of the table.

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Late James strike sees Chelsea edge Everton

A last-minute goal from Lauren James secured a 2-1 win for Chelsea against Everton at Kingsmeadow, re-establishing their seven-point lead at the top of the WSL.

The first half was a tight affair - although the Blues thought they had taken the lead early on, but the officials deemed the ball had not crossed all the way over the line.

It ended with just one shot on target from Chelsea and none of any note from Everton.

But the Toffees - who were knocked out of the FA Cup by Chelsea last weekend - took the lead in the 51st minute. It was a fine run from Kelly Gago as her diagonal effort fizzed into the far corner.

• How the teams lined up | Match stats

But the lead only lasted nine minutes. The Everton area was packed throughout, but Mayra Ramirez was able to spin past her defender to find an inch before her low shot beat Courtney Brosnan at close range.

Chelsea continued to press for the winner - with Everton also providing tests on the counter - and Toffees defence was finally breached in the third of four added minutes. James was offered too much space 25 yards out and her sweeping finish saw the Blues to a ninth win in a row in all competitions.

Man Utd come through Palace test

Elisabeth Terland scored twice as Man Utd were made to work for a 3-1 victory over bottom side Crystal Palace.

Palace goalkeeper Milla-Maj Majasaari endured a difficult afternoon, gifting Terland a relatively straightforward early opener, but the visitors made a contest of things thereafter.

• How the teams lined up | Match stats

Lily Woodham engineered a first-half equaliser when her lofted pass found Mille Gejl in space, racing away down the left before beating Phallon Tullis-Joyce at her near post - only the sixth time Man Utd have been breached all season.

Plucky Palace also had an effort turned off the line after the break but weren't able to stop their hosts at the opposite end, conceding to Terland's eighth WSL goal of the season and a bullet header from Grace Clinton late on.

Majasaari mistakenly attempted to collect Ella Toone's high free-kick only to be beaten to the ball by Clinton, who made a perfect connection to seal all three points for Marc Skinner's side and maintain their WSL standing in second.

Palace stay rooted to the foot of the table with six points from 14 played.