Brighton stun Barclays FA Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea after Reading win at Manchester United.
Sunday 7 February
Barclays FA WSL
Manchester United 0-2 Reading
Chelsea 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Everton 1-1 Birmingham City
Arsenal 1-2 Manchester City
West Ham United 1-1 Bristol City
Seagulls send Chelsea to rare defeat
Chelsea lost their record 33-match unbeaten WSL run with a shock home defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion.
An early exchange of goals saw Erin Cuthbert set up Sam Kerr to find the top corner, only for Aileen Whelan to level on 8 minutes with a header from a Megan Connolly flag kick.
Moments after an effort from Kerr came back off the post into Megan Walsh’s gloves, Connolly gave Albion a shock lead with Carly Telford failing to deal with a corner inside the last dozen minutes.
Chelsea’s Beth England had a shot deflected onto the bar but the Blues failed to get back on terms against stubborn opponents.
The result puts Brighton level on points with Aston Villa in ninth.
Royals overcome Red Devils
Reading pulled off a 2-0 victory over Manchester United, the hosts first home defeat in over a year.
The Royals went close early on with a Rachel Rowe header across goal, while The Reds were denied by the post when Ella Toone’s effort rebounded into Grace Moloney’s hands.
Leah Galton and Ona Batlle both forced fine second-half saves from Moloney, before the visitors struck two decisive quickfire goals.
Natasha Harding headed home from almost on the goal-line and Danielle Carter was given a free header from another Emma Mitchell set-piece.
Man City extend lead over Arsenal
Manchester City’s 2-1 victory at Arsenal moved them seven points ahead of the Gunners and narrowed the gap on the leading pair.
City opened the scoring in the 25th minute, Chloe Kelly’s delivery hit on the half-volley into the roof of the net by Ellen White.
Jill Roord had the ball in the net from a good Gunners move but the flag was raised for offside.
However, early in the second period, a break saw Roord find Caitlin Foord for a finish back past Ellie Roebuck.
White had a shot blocked on the line and struck the post soon after but with under 15 minutes left, Kelly’s cross was buried by Lauren Hemp’s powerful diving header.
Birmingham hold Everton
Birmingham City earned an important point at Everton in staying clear of danger, moving a point behind Spurs in seventh spot
Danielle Turner had the hosts in front from a free kick midway through the first half.
Toffees keeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela saved a Claudia Walker penalty given against Izzy Christiansen for handball but Jamie-Lee Napier netted on the follow-up.
Hammers hit back to deny Bristol City
Bristol City had to settle for a draw at West Ham, that sees the Robins remain in last place and the Hammers just above them.
City struck an early blow in a crucial clash, as the Robins forced an own-goal by Emily van Egmond via a corner.
It was nearly 2-0 when Jemma Purfield played in Ebony Salmon who hit the post.
Four minutes after the restart, City failed to clear and Katerina Svitkova fired past Sophie Baggaley.
The City keeper later tipped a Laura Vetterlein free kick over the top, and at the other end Kate Longhurst headed a Charlie Wellings effort off the line, before Jemma Purfield struck the bar from a set-piece.
Sheffield United Women sign midfielder on a dual registration
