A first-half hat-trick from Nikita Parris helped Manchester City to secure a 4-3 win at Reading that increased their lead to five points over Arsenal at the top of the Women’s Super League table.
Chelsea, in third, stayed in touch with a 4-0 away win against Liverpool but both Chelsea and City have played three more games than Arsenal who play Bristol City on Thursday.
Parris, who was on the England scoresheet during their successful SheBelieves Cup campaign, scored three times after Brooke Chaplen had given the home side the lead in the fourth minute, with Jill Scott providing the assists for two of her goals.
A one-two between Parris and Demi Stokes gave the full-back the opportunity to score the fourth but a penalty by Fara Williams and a late Kirsty Pearce goal meant City had to hang on for the three points.
Chelsea’s win also featured a hat-trick, this one by Fran Kirby who scored twice in the first half for the champions including her third penalty of the season. Adelina Engman scored the fourth with a header in the final seconds at Prenton Park.
Everton recorded their second win of the league season with a 1-0 away defeat of West Ham. The substitute Hannah Cain scored the only goal two minutes from time.
The win takes Everton five points clear of the bottom side, Yeovil, after their 1-1 draw with Brighton. Ellie Mason earned Yeovil the point with her second-half goal after Victoria Williams had given Brighton the lead after 27 minutes.