Barclays Women’s Super League: Chelsea go top as two title rivals held

Lauren James of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Sam Kerr after scoring. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Chelsea go top of the Barclays Women’s Super League as Arsenal and Manchester United are held to goalless draws.

Manchester United 0-0 Everton (Att: 5,040)
Tottenham Hotspur 2-3 Chelsea
Liverpool 2-0 Reading
West Ham United 0-0 Arsenal (Att:2,632)

Morning leaders Manchester United were held to a goalless draw at home by Everton. Ella Toone went closest for United when hitting the post, Jess Park sliced wide a late chance for the Toffees.

Manchester United v Everton FC - Barclays Women's Super League
Courtney Brosnan of Everton makes a save against Manchester United. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Chelsea moved clear at the top of the table with victory at Spurs. Jess Carter headed the visitors in front from an Erin Cuthbert ball, Drew Spence set up Bethany England for a tap in against her former club but Lauren James restored the lead with a solo effort in off the post. Guro Reiten slotted in the third after the hour mark when getting away from Celin Bizet, but substitute Nikola Karczewska got a late goal back to make for a tense finish.

Arsenal were left frustrated with a 0-0 draw at West Ham, although they did go third on goal-difference. Hammers’ keeper Mackenzie Arnold kept out the dominant Gunners, including a couple of saves from Frida Maanum, and twice thwarting Stina Blackstenius. West Ham might have had a first-half penalty after Dagny Brynjarsdottir went down in the area.

Barclays FA Womens Super League game between West Ham United v Arsenal
Kirsty Smith (2 West Ham) attacks during the game with Arsenal. (K Hodgson/SPP)

Liverpool defeated next-to-bottom Reading, to rise above Spurs and into eighth spot. Emma Harries headed against the crossbar for the Royals, Gemma Bonner had to clear off the Reds’ line following a set piece. But it was Liverpool who would strike twice in quick succession just after the hour mark, Missy Bo Kearns stabbing the ball home after controlling Emma Koivisto’s attempt, then Megan Campbell’s long throw was headed on by Bonner and tucked away by Ceri Holland.

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