Women's Super League Arsenal 5 Tottenham Hotspur 0 Full time

England international Chloe Kelly came off the bench to make her debut in a second spell at Arsenal as they thrashed north London rivals Tottenham.

It was Kelly's first game for the Gunners since joining on loan from Manchester City in dramatic fashion on deadline day in January.

It was also 2,815 days since her last Arsenal appearance after she graduated from their academy and spent three years with the first team between 2015 and 2018.

Kelly, 27, was given a standing ovation and a warm welcome by fans after an hour had been played, with her side already 4-0 up.

An own goal by Tottenham defender Clare Hunt put Arsenal ahead in the 15th minute, before Mariona Caldentey doubled the lead 20 minutes later.

Frida Maanum's 51st-minute strike then deflected in off Hunt, before Alessia Russo's effort seven minutes later and a stunning late hit from Emily Fox completed the rout.

The Gunners were relentless throughout, exploiting a poor defensive display from Tottenham and consolidating their third-place position in the Women's Super League table.

Tottenham have won just one of their last nine away WSL games and were heavily beaten by their neighbours on a disappointing afternoon for them at Emirates Stadium.

"The numbers say it all in one way. It is still the same gap from last year," said Spurs boss Robet Vilahamn when asked about concerns over a lack of progress.

"That's fair enough, that question should come and those people should say that because 8-0 is not a good goal difference against them [across two games].

"We have glimpses in the game where we look very good - but they are better than us."

Russo leads relentless Gunners as Spurs frailties exposed

Arsenal had 15 shots in the first half in a dominant display

Kelly's fiery exit from City last month was well-documented as she took to social media to explain her unhappiness and desire for more game time, with Euro 2025 just months away.

England manager Sarina Wiegman did not name the forward in her squad this week for their Women's Nations League matches against Portugal and Spain on 21 and 26 February.

That came as little surprise and Kelly knows she will need to fight for a place in the Lionesses squad for this summer's Euros.

Making a first appearance in the WSL for two months was a step in doing that and Kelly was given the welcome she would have wanted as the crowd stood up and roared when her name was called out by the stadium announcer for her 61st-minute entrance.

Her task was simple – to play with freedom and enjoy the comfortable lead Arsenal had already built and she was able to do that, striking the crossbar late on.

Tottenham's defensive frailties have been exploited many times this season and it was no different at Emirates Stadium as the hosts enjoyed a fruitful afternoon throughout.

"What we are doing this year is to see where we are," added Spurs boss Vilahamn.

"If you lose against Arsenal away from home - most teams will do that. But if you lose 5-0, that's not good.

"To find the right level is to be brave. When you don't succeed, of course I'm sitting here looking a bit stupid, I get that. That's the part of my journey with this team."

Kelly's England attacking team-mate Russo was a standout performer, terrorising Spurs centre-back Hunt and testing goalkeeper Lize Kop on numerous occasions.

Russo thought she had grabbed the opener but her header flicked inside the post off the hip of Hunt and went down as an own goal, before Caldentey and Maanum added to Arsenal's tally.

But Russo's moment eventually came when she finished off a counter-attacking move, teaming up with a lively Caitlin Foord, to add a deserved fourth goal, before Fox's sublime long-range effort in the 90th minute finished things off.

Asked about Russo's impressive form, Arsenal manager Renee Slegers said "She's very sharp and has been finding that action in her game which makes her even sharper.

"She is a fantastic footballer, so versatile, can play different roles and plays really well in and out of possession. We are so happy to have Alessia."

There was no stopping Arsenal's charge and Spurs offered very little to trouble them – their only notable chance coming in the 65th minute when Drew Spence's header forced a save from goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.

The result strengthened Arsenal's pursuit of a Champions League qualification spot and they will finish the weekend in third place, above rivals Manchester City.