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Dec 15, 2024, 12:16 PM ET

Arsenal capitalised on their Women's Super League (WSL) title rivals dropping points by signing off for the winter break with a 1-0 win over strugglers Liverpool.

A first-half strike from Alessia Russo helped continue interim head coach Renée Slegers' unbeaten run, with the Gunners now seven points behind league leaders Chelsea -- who drew 1-1 with Leicester City on Saturday -- and just one point behind second-placed Manchester City, who lost 2-1 to Everton on Sunday.

Arsenal largely dominated the contest at St Helens Stadium and could have doubled their lead in the first half when they were given a controversial penalty for a perceived foul by Gemma Bonner on Russo, but Mariona Caldentey was denied by the post.

Liverpool frustrated the visitors in the second-half and nearly drew level when Katie McCabe's miscued clearance came back off the woodwork, but the Reds now drop down to eighth place and have just two wins from their first nine WSL games.

-- Beth Lindop

Alessia Russo is in the right place at the right time to score the only goal of the game. Jan Kruger/Getty ImagesRusso vital in Arsenal turnaround

After a slow start her second season with the Gunners, failing to score in the first eight games, Russo is excelling, netting in a fifth consecutive WSL game.

-- Emily Keogh

Gunners take advantage of Chelsea, City slip

With top three rivals Chelsea and Manchester City dropping points this weekend, Arsenal took advantage to keep pressure on the top three, stretching the unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions.

Chelsea dropped points for the first time this campaign in a 1-1 draw with Leicester, but remain well ahead of the Gunners.

But Arsenal's 1-0 win over Liverpool took them to 21 points, moving them within a single point of Man City -- and the gap is starting to close between those below Chelsea, with Manchester United level on points with Arsenal in fourth.

After the long winter break -- the WSL restarts on Jan.

17 -- Arsenal start 2025 by hosting bottom spot Palace before two consecutive and potentially decisive title-race fixtures, travelling to Chelsea and Manchester City.

-- Lindop

Liverpool can't stop conceding

Last season, only the top three of Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal had a better defence than Liverpool.
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