Arsenal started the day in the bottom half of the table, four points off fourth-placed Tottenham and 12 points behind leaders Manchester City.

With their title ambitions in ruins, manager Renee Slegers was facing weekly questions about her future and defeat by Spurs could have been the last straw.

Confidence was at an all-time low and a high-stakes north London derby was not the ideal game to go into with no momentum.

The nerves were obvious as there were misplaced passes, poor clearances and sloppy errors in a disjointed first half.

Tottenham had even taken the lead, although they held it for just four minutes as Georgia Stanway’s powerful strike cancelled out a header from Cathinka Tandberg.

When asked what she said to the players at half-time, boss Slegers revealed: “I just gave constructive and tactical things that could help us to get the win, and remind us about the fight and intensity on the pitch.

“It was a real derby. The team were in a good place and were finding solutions themselves. It was just constructive messaging.”

Arsenal were much better in the second half, putting more pressure on Tottenham and getting the winning goal they needed.

Referee Phoebe Cross pointed to the spot when Lisa Baum’s shot bounced off the post and Tandberg’s clearance hit the outstretched hand of her Spurs team-mate Ella Morris nearby.

Alessia Russo, who had failed to convert a big chance just moments earlier, made no mistake the second time around and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Lize Kop.

She roared in celebration and sprinted towards the away fans – an outburst of emotion that was replicated at full-time by England team-mate Leah Williamson.

Slegers stood back as her players enjoyed the adulation from supporters. They had finally delivered a win and the fans had something to sing about.

“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,” said Slegers.

“We sold out the away section, they came in the rain and sang and fought with us throughout the game.

“At the end, it was scrappy and it was game management and they were all there with us.

“You could see how the team responded and how they were with the fans. It was pure joy and happiness. We want to capitalise on these emotions.”