Arsenal kept the pressure on the top two of the Women's Super League with an important 1-0 win over Liverpool ahead of the winter break.
The Gunners moved within a point of Manchester City but are still seven points behind leaders Chelsea, while Renee Slegers' unbeaten run as interim boss stretched to ten games, nine of which Arsenal won.
Alessia Russo scored the only goal of Sunday's match in the 20th minute, heading home from close range after Gemma Bonner's poor ball movement from Katie McCabe's low corner.
Russo, who has now scored in five consecutive WSL matches, then won her side a penalty after drawing a foul from Bonner in the penalty area, but Mariona Caldentey could only hit the post from twelve yards.
Liverpool came close to the equalizer just before half-time when McCabe headed Ceri Holland's cross against her own post.
Arsenal hit the woodwork again after the break through a deflected effort from Beth Mead, with Frida Maanum unable to convert in the follow-up, although the Gunners did not have to pay as they came away with a deserved three points based on their dominance . of the match.
They scored 2.14 expected goals (xG) and had 12 shots to Liverpool's six.
The Gunners' attention now turns to the Women's Champions League, with Bayern Munich next in a match that will determine the winner of Group C.
Man City, meanwhile, failed to close the gap on league leaders Chelsea after succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to Everton.
The Toffees' second win of the season moved them up to ninth place, while Gareth Taylor's side remained six points behind Chelsea, who drew with Leicester City on Saturday.
Lucy Hope headed the Toffees into a 31st minute lead after being picked out by Sara Holmgaard, with Honoka Hayashi doubling Everton's lead.
City improved after the break to post an expected goals total (xG) of 1.96 from their 10 shots, but could only halve the deficit at the death.
Karoline Olesen brought down Yui Hasegawa in the penalty area, while Mary Fowler converted from the spot, but it was too little too late for City as Everton won back-to-back home games in the WSL for the first time since January 2023.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are one point behind City after a 1-0 win over lowly Crystal Palace.
Grace Clinton struck the decisive blow in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, capitalizing on a mistake from Palace goalkeeper Shae Yanez to finish into an unguarded net.
The Red Devils were good for their win, with Leah Galton hitting the post in the first half before Geyse was superbly denied by Yanez after the break.
Substitute Celin Bizet could undoubtedly have put the result on the table late, but went wide after another mistake at the back by the Eagles.
Marc Skinner's side continued their impressive record against newly promoted teams to claim their 11th consecutive victory against such opponents in the WSL.
Ending the calendar year with three points! #MUWomen
– Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) December 15, 2024
Aston Villa secured a much-needed win as they defeated West Ham 3-1, giving interim head coach Shaun Goater two wins in two games in all competitions.
Two first-half goals from Adriana Leon and a late try from Kenza Dali were enough for Villa to win consecutive WSL home games for the first time this season, with Viviane Asseyi scoring for the Hammers.
Villa won just one of their first nine league games under former manager Robert de Pauw, who left his role at the club earlier this week.
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