Alessia Russo has scored 10 Women's Super League goals for Arsenal this season
Alessia Russo scored twice as Arsenal recorded a fourth consecutive Women's Super League win to move up to second place with victory at Everton.
Russo opened the scoring in the 24th minute at Walton Hall Park, slotting in from close range after Kim Little's cross into the box.
Nine minutes before half-time, Everton equalised. Katja Snoeijs' shot was blocked but Toni Payne reacted quickest to bundle home her first goal for the Toffees.
Gunners boss Renee Slegers made a quadruple substitution on the hour mark and Caitlin Foord had an immediate impact when her presence in the box forced home defender Maren Mjelde to tap into her own net three minutes later.
Arsenal, though, wasted chances to make the scoreline more comfortable with Frida Maanum's strike drifting just wide of the post.
Steph Catley's flicked header then rattled off the crossbar, before her shot from a tight angle thumped the woodwork.
But Russo then made sure of the victory in the final minute of normal time, slotting home from Beth Mead's through-ball for her 10th WSL goal of the campaign.
The result means Arsenal move up to second in the table on goal difference, above Manchester United who lost 3-1 at Liverpool on Friday night, and eight points behind leaders Chelsea.
Russo continues fine form for Gunners
Arsenal scored first with a clever Russo finish from close range but looked shaky at several points during the opening period as Everton levelled.
However, the Gunners have now won 10 WSL games when scoring the first goal this season, drawing two and losing none.
Russo's late second calmed any nerves as she moved two goals behind Khadija Shaw in the battle for the Golden Boot.
This was the first time since December 2024, against Aston Villa, that the England forward has scored twice in a game.
But Russo has regularly set the tone for her side when they have needed her most in this campaign, scoring the opener in five WSL matches.
With a crucial Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid to follow on Tuesday, Russo is hitting top form at the perfect time.
That will lift Arsenal's hopes of overcoming the Spaniards - and also to qualify for next season's competition through a top-three finish in the WSL.
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