FT: Everton 1-3 Arsenal
McCabe scores beautiful goal for Arsenal before Hayashi equalises with powerful strike for Everton
Russo scores two minutes later to reclaim lead on her 100th appearance
Smith scores third for Arsenal
Williamson on pitch for first time this season for Arsenal
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Just the one WSL match today, so that's us done for the afternoon.
If you missed any of the action, you can catch up by reading Ciara Fleming's match report.
We'll be back tomorrow to bring all the other games, including a huge clash between bottom two Liverpool and West Ham.
See you then!
FT: Everton 1-3 Arsenal
So that's Arsenal up to second, five points behind league leaders Manchester City.
City, of course, can widen the gap to eight points again when they face Aston Villa tomorrow.
Is that a step too far for Arsenal?
All times GMT
Here's what's coming up in the WSL tomorrow...
FT: Everton 1-3 Arsenal
Everton manager Brian Sorensen speaking to Sky Sports: "Arsenal started really well and I said that a few times before that they are the best team in the division when they hit their levels. We knew if we could stay in the game we would have moments to come back. We didn't capitalise on that enough and they scored at the end. It is no shame to lose to a better team.
"That was a good response to their first goal and then unfortunately they scored again. We were all over the place in that first 20 minutes."
On Ruby Mace: "She has been good since she came in. The amount of pressure they put on us goes into her area which is why she has those stats. I think everyone did what they can today.
"We need consistency and we just need to keep working."
FT: Everton 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal manager Renee Slegers speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think we dominated the ball. We have a lot of the ball, I think we used that in a purposeful way well. It is 2-1 at half-time. I think we managed our transitions quite well but then second half it becomes a little more transitional. But we were still in control. Really happy with that last goal that kills the game, which was important for us.
"We have so much quality in the squad. We have to do things together but then we know we have certain strengths in the squad. If we set things up quite well then we know we can create goals.
"I think at the start of the season there were small margins. Those moments we manage better now and it has been learning stuff for us. I am happy with the last few games. The last couple of wins put us in a better place for the second half of the season.
On the reception Leah Williamson got from the Arsenal fans: "To start with, our fans are amazing. It has been special to share a lot of moments with them. It is an away game and it is a sold out away section. They gave a lot of noise when Leah came on the pitch, which she deserves. She has worked hard for it and is finally back. It was nice to see the fans celebrating that she is back."
Comment at the top of this page to share your thoughts
Excellent attendance. Thank Goodison they kept the old stadium open.
Christopher
The attendance was 4,343. That's almost double the capacity of Walton Hall Park Stadium where Everton used to play their home games.
FT: Everton 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers, speaking to Sky Sports: "It’s a big win for us after a short turnaround. I am happy with how we solved things and our high press. I am happy with our bravery and counter pressure. Our intensity dropped a bit but we picked it up again. I am happy with a lot of things today."
FT: Everton 1-3 Arsenal
Puts in a Player-of-the-Match performance and then makes an Arsenal fan's day by signing her own football sticker.
Elite behaviour from Alessia Russo.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Everton 1-3 Arsenal
More from Alessia Russo on Sky Sports about Kim Little being back: "She is brilliant. Off the pitch, she is a leader and top professional and then on the pitch, she is so consistent. She is like a brick wall to get past and I hate training against her!"
On the upcoming winter break: "It will be quite nice. Also, when you are playing and winning and in a bit of form, you don't want the break to come. We have two games now that we want to win and the we will have a break. And then another big start to the new year."
FT: Everton 1-3 Arsenal
Olivia Smith was pulling out all the moves with her goal celebration...
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Everton 1-4 Arsenal
Esme Morgan
England defender on Sky Sports
Less [Alessia Russo] is such a complete player. She offers so much to the team that is more than just goals.
When we play at England, so many of the goals we score, Less is involved four or five passes before the finish.
We rely on her so much. It is frustrating to hear people criticise her for a lack of goals. She offers so much and does it so selflessly.
She is a glue for the rest of the team to function better.
Comment at the top of this page to share your thoughts
For me I wonder when is Alessia Russo ever going to get a break she’s non stop playing 90 minutes yes she’s brilliant playing but if they continue it could cause a injury through wear and tear
Aaron
FT: Everton 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal striker Alessia Russo speaking to Sky Sports: "I didn't even know it was my goal! Really happy to get the three points today. Even I thought it was Cailtin's goal so we can share it!
"It's all about finding the spaces and the teams in this league, it is so hard sometimes. Anytime I can create half a yard I will try and take it. I want to be in the box but if that's crossing as well or starting attacks, I don't mind doing that."
FT: Everton 1-3 Arsenal
Izzy Christiansen
Former England midfielder on Sky Sports
She is a player I have loved watching her trajectory. Her reading of the game is second to none.
She churns out these high level performances. Unselfish performances as well.
Image source, ReutersFT: Everton 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal attempted 22 shots against Everton, along with 687 passes - both their highest totals in a single match in the WSL this season.
FT: Everton 1-4 Arsenal
Esme Morgan
England defender on Sky Sports
It was a game that in the second half went a little flat.
It felt like there was a moment in the balance where Everton could threaten. Olivia Smith provided that bit of quality and it took it out of Everton's reach a little bit.
FT: Everton 1-3 Arsenal
As the heat map shows, Alessia Russo was EVERYWHERE on her 100th appearance.
FT: Everton 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal's win moves the Gunners into second in the WSL table.
They leapfrog Chelsea and Manchester United, who both play tomorrow.
Comment at the top of this page to share your thoughts
McCabe is wasted at left-back, would love to see her pushed into central midfield and push Caldentey into more effective areas. Smith also needs more game time.
Steve
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Everton 1-3 Arsenal
Everton's wait for a first point at Goodison Park this season goes on.
That's five defeats at home in the WSL this season.
Arsenal move up to second with comfortable win at Everton
At a glance
Katie McCabe gives Arsenal lead with half-volley
Everton's Honoka Hayashi responds with brilliant long-range strike
Alessia Russo marks 100th WSL appearance by re-establishing Arsenal lead
Smith caps Arsenal win with volley in second half
England captain Leah Williamson plays first Arsenal game of season after injury
Alessia Russo scored on her 100th Women's Super League appearance as Arsenal beat Everton at Goodison Park to move second in the table.
The England striker diverted captain Kim Little's volley goalwards with her chest to put the visitors back in front in fortuitous fashion in the 15th minute.
Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan had tried in vain to keep Russo's unwitting finish out with it later confirmed that Russo's effort had crossed the line. Caitlin Foord had slammed home the rebound from two yards in any case.
Second-half substitute Olivia Smith made the points safe late on, hitting a volley from 25 yards that bounced over the flailing arm of Brosnan.
Arsenal had dominated proceedings straight from kick-off, and their early pressure was rewarded after 11 minutes. Katie McCabe strode on to Rion Ishikawa's superb goalline clearance at the edge of the box to loop a half-volley across goal and into the far corner.
Yet with the Gunners' jubilation still fresh in the air the hosts equalised.
Honoka Hayashi, the match-winner against Chelsea last weekend, drove forward from midfield, before curling high into the top corner from distance.
Everton's celebrations were also short-lived though, as Arsenal re-established their lead through Russo moments after the restart to complete a four-minute goal flurry.
The Toffees had Brosnan to thank for remaining a sole goal down at the interval, with the highlight of her stream of late first-half stops a springing save to her left to deny Russo a second goal.
The second half played out in the same manner as the first, with Everton pinned inside their defensive third by a relentless Arsenal attacking effort, before Smith quelled any fears of an Everton fightback.
The standout moment in an otherwise tame half was the introduction of Leah Williamson to play her first minutes of the season following a four-month absence through injury. The England captain had not played since the Lionesses' Euro 2025 final triumph against Spain in July.
The defeat leaves Everton ninth in the table as they close out the first half of the season without winning a single point at home.
'Fantastic human' Russo shines in Arsenal win at Everton
Manager Renee Slegers warned of the "very unpredictable" nature of Everton before Arsenal's maiden trip to Goodison Park, and her caution was justified.
Two minutes after McCabe's opener, the Toffees went straight down the other end of the field to equalise. Hayashi produced a contender for goal of the season with the hosts' first shot on target.
Everton had not even touched the ball in the Gunners box in the opening quarter of an hour, yet they managed to get themselves level.
However, Slegers will be pleased to see her team react positively, having come into the game on the back of unconvincing wins against Liverpool and FC Twente.
While unorthodox, Russo's finish was that of a typical striker - right place, right time and technically her first shot on target.
Arsenal's dominance continued into the second half, with Brosnan only able to keep them at bay for so long before ex-Liverpool star Smith scored off the bench to make the points safe.
After three consecutive wins by a single goal, the Gunners were finally able to convincingly put a game to bed.
They will expect Manchester City to win at Crystal Palace on Sunday to restore their eight-point lead, but the Gunners' victory keeps them within five for now.
While a sizeable margin to chase down, it offers hope that Arsenal's title fight will at least reach the new year.
Everton came into their final fixture of the year on a high after Sunday's shock victory at Chelsea - the Blues' first WSL defeat since May 2024.
However, this time around their defence was breached by the star quality of the European champions.
Skipper Brosnan did her best in goal, producing six saves and three clearances - as did her defence, churning out 46 clearances.
But the quality strikes from McCabe and Smith, plus the fortune of Russo, proved enough for the Toffees to fall to a fifth consecutive home defeat of the season.
In truth, it was deserved. Hayashi's wonder strike aside, they offered very little for the Arsenal defence to worry about. They attempted just three shots in 102 minutes, generating an xG of 0.22.
While their low block, battling approach frustrated Chelsea last weekend, it was a big ask to repeat the feat. Top teams have star quality in abundance, and Arsenal used every bit of theirs to walk away with all three points.
The WSL finishes for the winter break this weekend, so Everton are not back in action until Sunday, 11 January when they head to league leaders Manchester City (12:00 GMT).
European champions Arsenal still have a few fixtures left in 2025. They have their final league phase match in the Champions League at OH Leuven on Wednesday, 17 December (20:00), before closing out the year at Crystal Palace in the League Cup on Sunday, 21 December (13:00).
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Manchester City | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 9 | 17 | 27 |
|
2 Arsenal | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 23 | 10 | 13 | 22 |
|
3 Chelsea | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 21 |
|
4 Manchester United | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 10 | 11 | 20 |
|
5 Tottenham Hotspur | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 19 |
|
6 London City Lionesses | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 15 |
|
7 Brighton & Hove Albion | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 14 |
|
8 Aston Villa | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 13 |
|
9 Everton | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 22 | -8 | 8 |
|
10 Leicester City | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 20 | -14 | 6 |
|
11 West Ham United | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 22 | -15 | 4 |
|
12 Liverpool | 10 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 19 | -13 | 2 |
|
Manager:Brian Sørensen
Formation:4 - 4 - 2
Manager:Renee Slegers
Formation:4 - 3 - 3
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