Chelsea maintained their perfect run in the Women's Super League with a 4-2 win over Brighton, while Manchester United defeated Liverpool 4-0.
On a vibrant day of action that saw 28 goals scored in six games, United got the action underway with the demolition of Liverpool, with four different goalscorers on target.
Quick goals from Elisabeth Terland and Leah Galton gave United a comfortable lead at half-time, before Dominique Janssen slotted home the Red Devils' third just before the end, with the victory sealed nine minutes from time by substitute Melvine Malard.
It was a routine victory for Marc Skinner's side, who have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, although the United boss said there is still room for improvement.
“I thought we were good. When we don't meet our high standards we get criticized, but when we play well and are dominant we deserve the praise,” Skinner said.
'Up until the match it was a fairly even match [the first two goals were scored]. The second half was much more comfortable.”
An emphatic victory at LSV! #MUWomen || #BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/U9JPZRj5ec
– Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) December 8, 2024
Chelsea are still five points clear at the WSL summit after a six-goal thriller against Brighton at Kingsmeadow.
Two goals in five minutes from Sjoeke Nusken and Aggie Beever-Jones put the Blues in control, but Sonia Bompastor's team saw their lead halved before halftime by Jelena Cankovic.
Chelsea restored their two-goal lead six minutes after the restart through Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, but the Seagulls responded again.
Kiko Seike's finish threatened the Blues' perfect start in the final 20 minutes, but Chelsea sealed the win in second-half stoppage time, with Nusken again on target.
Bompastor is now unbeaten in her last 31 games in all competitions (W28 L3), and Sunday's victory should perhaps have been won by a more marginal score, while Chelsea have matched the 2018/19 Arsenal side in their first nine WSL games of 2018/19. a campaign. Should they beat Leicester City next week, they will become the first team in the history of the competition to record ten wins to start a season.
The Blues registered a whopping 31 shots, although only eight were on target, giving an expected goals (xG) total of 4.08, compared to Brighton's 2.19.
WINNERS WIN! #CFCW pic.twitter.com/dBoKxFKYJG
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) December 8, 2024
Not to be outdone by neighbors or their title rivals, Manchester City also scored four as they comfortably beat Leicester 4-0, with Khadija Shaw scoring twice.
Shaw gave the hosts a second-minute lead when she nodded in Kerstin Casparij's cross and doubled her tally before the half-hour mark with a powerful header.
Jessica Park added the Citizens' third four minutes after half-time, before Mary Fowler capped the scoring nine minutes later with a fine volley from close range.
And Gareth Taylor's side were worthy of their victory, restricting Leicester to just three shots at Khiara Keating's goal, while also finishing the encounter with 71.7% possession.
FULL TIME | Victory at the Joie!
4-0 #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/XV8UhpdUlu
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) December 8, 2024
There was also another big win for Arsenal, with the Gunners securing a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa, with Alessia Russo on target for the fourth consecutive WSL match.
Russo's glancing header from Kyra Cooney-Cross's inswinging free-kick put Arsenal ahead and Beth Mead doubled their lead.
Substitute Stina Blackstenius scored the Gunners' third before Russo finished off her double in second-half stoppage time after seeing an earlier effort ruled out for offside.
It marked another win for interim head coach Renee Slegers, who is now unbeaten in her eight games and in charge of all competitions since taking over from Jonas Eidevall.
Three points at home pic.twitter.com/yoY9Gw193C
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) December 8, 2024
Sunday's highest-scoring match took place at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, with West Ham coming from two goals behind to beat relegation rivals Crystal Palace 5-2.
Mille Gejl and Indiah-Paige Riley put Palace under control inside eleven minutes, before Viviane Asseyi, Seraina Piubel and Manuela Pavi hit back for the Hammers before half-time.
Anouk Denton put West Ham further ahead with a fine finish, before Hammers captain Katrina Gorry finished fifth in stoppage time.
The defeat means that Palace have led 1-0 in four of their last five league games, but have failed to win any. No other team has dropped more points by gaining positions this season than the Eagles (10).
Tottenham beat Everton 2-1 thanks to Bethany England's brace.
England scored either side of Sara Holmgaard's 40th-minute equalizer to seal Spurs' third win of the season, all of which came on home ground.
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