Both Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United came from two goals down to earn points in the Barclays Women’s Championship.
Sunderland 2-3 Charlton Athletic
Lewes 2-2 Sheffield United
London City Lionesses 3-0 Durham
Birmingham City 3-2 Coventry City
Blackburn Rovers 1-3 Crystal Palace
Bristol City 1-1 Southampton
Bristol City held by Saints
Top-of-the-table Bristol City dropped their first points when held 1-1 at Ashton Gate by Southampton. Abi Harrison played in Ffion Morgan to fire into the back of the net for the hosts but the Saints were level when Beth Lumsden netted from an Ella Morris cross.
Charlton twice come from behind to beat ten-player Sunderland
Charlton Athletic went second with a hard-fought win at Sunderland, whose Emily Scarr scored and was later denied by the bar. Ella Rutherford equalised and although Emma Kelly restored the lead, seconds later Kiera Skeels got the Addicks back level. Worse still for the Black Cats was that Abby Holmes was sent off and Elisha N’Dow headed a stoppage-time winner.
Hughes hits hat-trick for Palace
Crystal Palace sit in third place after a 3-1 result away to Backburn. Palace went in front after 15 minutes, Elise Hughes the scorer from Isabelle Sibley’s cut-back. Hughes got her second from a similar situation on half-time, Coral Haines this time with the set-up. Hughes completed her hat-trick from Anna Sibley’s cross, Saffron Jordan getting one back when winning and converting a spot-kick.
Blades battle back to draw at Lewes
Sheffield United recovered a two-goal deficit at Lewes to earn a draw. Izzy Dalton converted a penalty after Amelia Hazard was fouled in the box, then after a run from the halfway line Amber Keegan-Stobbs struck home the second for the Rooks. United were on level terms with over 20 minutes left, Rhema Lord-Mears forcing an own-goal and another of her crosses knocked in by Charlotte Newsham, who also had a goal disallowed.
Durham see red in defeat to Lionesses
London City Lionesses sent Durham to a 3-0 reverse as the visitors were reduced to ten players. Sarah Ewens hit the ball over the keeper from outside the box and Amy Rodgers doubled the lead by half-time when poking home a corner. Lucy Fitzgerald came off the bench to make it 3-0 in the second half and the Wildcats had Georgia Robert dismissed. It could have been 4-0 but Ewens penalty was saved by by Tatiana Saunders.
Coventry comeback falls just short at Birmingham
Birmingham City look sure of three points when three goals up at St Andrews but Coventry United gave them a scare. Jade Pennock won the ball and went on to score, Louise Quinn then heading home Josie Greene’s corner, before Ashley Hodson came off the bench and quickly added the third goal. Coventry sub Mary McAteer replied twice on her debut, as United nearly made a stunning comeback.
