Alessia Russo scored a stoppage-time winner as Manchester United came from behind to end Arsenal’s record-breaking 15-match winning run and perfect start to the season.
The Gunners had led with five minutes of regulation time to play but Millie Turner and Lionesses hero Russo both scored firm headers in a fantastic last-gasp comeback.
Now United will eye another of Arsenal’s records after ending their winning run which dated back to February.
The 40,064 at the Emirates Stadium was the second-highest crowd in Women’s Super League history, just shy of Arsenal’s record set in September against Tottenham.
Marc Skinner’s side are expecting to break both of those gates when they host Aston Villa in a fortnight at Old Trafford. His side will head into that match within touching distance of Arsenal and Chelsea, who will become league leaders if they win on Sunday.
In a match that defined the cliche ‘game of two halves’, United dominated possession and deservedly led at the break through Ella Toone after Manuela Zinsberger flapped at a cross and gifted her a tap-in.
Arsenal came out much stronger in the second half - pressing and passing better - and were level less than a minute after the restart.
Frida Maanum gained possession on the 40-metre line - the markings from last week’s rugby league match here were still visible - and drove at the United defence. Her shot was helped into the top corner via a wicked Maya Le Tissier deflection.
But United found a late flurry of energy and equalised when Turner headed home from a long free-kick into the box. Then with seconds remaining on the clock, Russo’s firm header from a corner won the match.