Manchester City thrash champions Chelsea to increase lead, Manchester United beat bottom side Liverpool - Women's Super League round-up

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There was plenty of drama at the top and the bottom of the Women's Super League on Sunday afternoon. Manchester City were dominant in their title clash at home to Chelsea, while Manchester United had too much for relegation-threatened Liverpool. There were hard-earned wins, too, for Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and London City Lionesses.

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Manchester City strengthened their lead at the top of the Women's Super League after an emphatic 5-1 victory over champions Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

Striker Kerolin scored a clinical hat-trick for the hosts, who were 2-0 up at the break and proved too strong for their rivals. City are now 11 points clear of Manchester United in second and 12 ahead of Chelsea in third.

Brazil star Kerolin set the home side on their way after 13 minutes, firing a powerful shot past Hannah Hampton. City's lead was doubled 10 minutes before half-time when Khadija Shaw slotted home and the situation looked dire for Chelsea, who were in need of a win to keep their slim title hopes alive.

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The Blues' attempts to chase the game in the second half only served to aid City's attacking prowess. Kerolin scored her second and the hosts' third with a sublime run from her own half and a delicate chip over Hampton with 49 minutes on the clock.

And five minutes later, she had her hat-trick, this time converting from close range to make it 4-0.

Chelsea netted a consolation through Alyssa Thompson on 68 minutes but a Vivianne Miedema header soon after completed a resounding victory.

City are now closing in on a first WSL title in a decade, while Chelsea look certain to see their run of six successive titles come to an end.

"We played with a confidence that is not rare in football but we are a team that is so determined," said City head coach Andree Jeglertz.

"We attack on the transition and we own their half and control the game. We had so many layers but we did everything with determination. That’s the crucial thing.

"We haven’t won the league. I will never say that until it’s done. Just playing that kind of game, the result is a fantastic win. We are getting players onto the field today and keeping the standard high and that is very important for the rest of the season."

Man Utd beat Liverpool to go second

A 3-1 win over rivals Liverpool saw Manchester United climb to second in the WSL table, leapfrogging Chelsea.

Midfielder Lisa Naalsund scored two quick-fire second-half goals to help United to a crucial win that left Liverpool rooted to the bottom of the table.

A goalless first half at the Progress With Unity Stadium gave the visitors some hope of leaving with a vital point, a result that would have moved them above West Ham United on goal difference and out of the relegation zone.

But Naalsund had different ideas, finishing expertly into the top corner after a cut back from Jessica Park to put United in front minutes into the second half.

There was a quick response from Liverpool, who levelled when Alice Bergstrom prodded home from close range just before the hour mark.

But parity lasted less than a minute as Naalsund was played through on goal and this time picked out the bottom corner.

Liverpool attempted to force their way back into the game but, in committing more players forward, they allowed space for United and a cool finish from Fridolina Rolfo sealed victory 87 minutes in.

Spurs come from behind to win at West Ham

Tottenham Hotspur produced a second-half comeback to beat struggling West Ham 2-1 at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.

Shekiera Martinez gave the hosts an early lead but goals from Matilda Vinberg and Olivia Holdt after the break turned the game on its head.

It took just 10 minutes for West Ham to open the scoring, Martinez finishing from a few yards out after a quick counter-attack.

The Hammers' game plan was clear: sit deep and attempt to hit Spurs on the break and they did so effectively early on.

But the visitors began to control possession and build pressure, even if they lacked a cutting edge in a frustrating first half.

Spurs dominated in the second half, though, and they were level after 54 minutes when Vinberg's long shot beat Megan Walsh.

West Ham held out for another 20 minutes but a rocket from Holdt gave Walsh no chance.

Spurs midfielder Drew Spence was sent off in added time but there was no way back for the home side, who remain just a point ahead of Liverpool in the relegation battle.

Fifth-placed Tottenham remain in contention for a top four finish, sitting level with Arsenal and a point behind Chelsea in third.

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Everton and London City earn narrow wins

Elsewhere, there were 2-1 victories for both Everton and London City Lionesses.

Everton beat Aston Villa at Goodison Park thanks to a brace from Martina Fernandez. It was an important win for the Toffees, lifting them to ninth and four points clear of rivals Liverpool.

London City, meanwhile, secured their first win under head coach Eder Maestre, coming from behind to win at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Kiko Seike gave the hosts the lead but an own goal from Moeka Minami and Freya Godfrey's strike late in the first half were enough for the visitors to take three points and leapfrog Brighton into sixth.

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