Arsenal started the day in the bottom half of the table, four points off fourth-placed Tottenham and 12 points behind leaders Manchester City.
With their title ambitions in ruins, manager Renee Slegers was facing weekly questions about her future and defeat by Spurs could have been the last straw.
Confidence was at an all-time low and a high-stakes north London derby was not the ideal game to go into with no momentum.
The nerves were obvious as there were misplaced passes, poor clearances and sloppy errors in a disjointed first half.
Tottenham had even taken the lead, although they held it for just four minutes as Georgia Stanway's powerful strike cancelled out a header from Cathinka Tandberg.
When asked what she said to the players at half-time, boss Slegers revealed: "I just gave constructive and tactical things that could help us to get the win, and remind us about the fight and intensity on the pitch.
"It was a real derby. The team were in a good place and were finding solutions themselves. It was just constructive messaging."
Arsenal were much better in the second half, putting more pressure on Tottenham and getting the winning goal they needed.
Referee Phoebe Cross pointed to the spot when Lisa Baum's shot bounced off the post and Tandberg's clearance hit the outstretched hand of her Spurs team-mate Ella Morris nearby.
Alessia Russo, who had failed to convert a big chance just moments earlier, made no mistake the second time around and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Lize Kop.
She roared in celebration and sprinted towards the away fans - an outburst of emotion that was replicated at full-time by England team-mate Leah Williamson.
Slegers stood back as her players enjoyed the adulation from supporters. They had finally delivered a win and the fans had something to sing about.
"I'm so happy we got it for them. We said we would play for the fans. We played for them and connected with them," said Slegers.
"We sold out the away section, they came in the rain and sang and fought with us throughout the game.
"At the end, it was scrappy and it was game management and they were all there with us.
"You could see how the team responded and how they were with the fans. It was pure joy and happiness. We want to capitalise on these emotions."
It was the perfect result, but never easy.
Former Arsenal defender Gilly Flaherty told BBC One the visitors were "causing their own problems" in an unconvincing first half and they took time to settle.
They showed nervousness and had to cling on at the end, relying on a stroke of luck and a controversial refereeing decision to get them over the line.
But it was not undeserved and Slegers made the decision at full-time to show their feelings and celebrate with supporters in a different way, having abandoned their familiar post-match team huddle in the centre of the pitch.
"The fans were on our minds. We wanted to play for something bigger, not only for ourselves. That is always a balance," she said.
One Gunners fan told BBC Sport at half-time: "It's 1-1 but Arsenal look very nervy in and out of possession. Another week, another formation, another different starting XI. All feels so desperate and out of control."
Slegers showed understanding of their frustration as she added: "We normally do a huddle on the pitch but we decided to just go to the fans instead.
"Actions speak louder than words. There was not much more talking to do so we just wanted to celebrate with them.
"We had a run of games where results haven't been good enough. It was frustrating for everyone. This will definitely energise us."
Slegers is pleased Arsenal are set to embark on a busy period with their next game in the Women's Champions League on Wednesday against Benfica.
They have four home games in November and a trip to Barcelona - all good opportunities to build momentum.
Their WSL title hopes may be gone, but a top-three finish is imperative to secure European football next season.
"We need to back this up in the next couple of games. There were some really good things for us on the pitch," said Slegers.
"We want to be more consistent but this was a really good step. It's positive energy we want to capitalise on, but it's only a step."