Manchester United pulled off their biggest win in the WSL to date with a dramatic 3-2 victory at Arsenal, ending the hosts' 14-match winning streak.
United trailed 2-1 going into the closing stages before headers from defender Millie Turner and England forward Russo turned a pulsating encounter upside down. The England striker powered home Katie Zelem’s delivery to steal the points.
The Gunners’ perfect start to the season had looked in real danger for much of a high-quality contest in front of a 40,064-strong crowd at the Emirates. Only a heavily deflected Frida Maanum was able to get the league leaders level, after United had led at the break through Ella Toone's excellent volley.
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They looked to have saved the streak when Austrian full-back Laura Weinroither fired home a Katie McCabe cross from the left in the 73rd minute. However, United refused to lie down, and when Turner headed home Katie Zelem’s free-kick with just five minutes of normal time to play it was the least they deserved. As the game ticked into injury time Russo flicked home the winner to give United a memorable win.
Marc Skinner's Reds now move level on points with Arsenal, going up to second in the WSL table, although Chelsea can leapfrog both with a win tomorrow.
The Gunners were aiming for a 15th straight win in the WSL to extend their current league record, but struggled to find their rhythm in the opening 45 minutes. It was the visitors who had the first real sight of goal when the lively Leah Galton forced an excellent save from Manuela Zinsberger at full stretch inside the penalty area.
United didn't look phased in the early stages on their first visit to the Emirates, with Millie Turner heading just over from a corner. Nikita Parris also fired a deflected volley over the bar as the visitors took charge of possession and kept the crowd quiet.
Ella Toone’s tap-in finally gave them the lead they deserved after Zinsberger failed to claim Hayley Ladd’s cross. But Arsenal conjured a perfect response straight after half-time, when Maanum picked the ball up in her own half and was allowed to drive all the way to the edge of the United penalty area. Her shot took a huge deflection off the unfortunate Le Tissier to leave Earps helpless.
Marc Skinner’s side did respond when Katie Zelem fired just over the bar after good work from Russo. Arsenal threw on Viviane Miedema in search of a winner but failed to consistently test Earps despite being roared on by the home crowd. That was until McCabe’s perfect cross was finished superbly by her fellow full-back Wienroither.
But Skinner’s side refused to lie down and their sensational late comeback handed the Gunners a first defeat of the season, Russo’s winner seeing United players celebrate widely in front of a jubilant away end.
