Manchester City maintained their place at the top of the FA Women’s Super League 1 table after thrashing Notts County 5-1 at Meadow Lane.

The Scotland international Jane Ross scored two first-half goals either side of Jill Scott’s header and Georgia Stanway ensured City went in 4-0 up at the break.

Notts reduced the deficit in the second half when Jess Clarke converted a penalty following Steph Houghton’s foul on Rachel Williams but Isobel Christiansen’s 25-yard strike made it 5-1.

The City defender Abbie McManus (ankle) was carried off and the Notts defender Fern Whelan was cleared of serious injury after leaving the field in a neck brace following a collision with Nikita Parris.

Chelsea remain second, a point behind City but having played a game more, after Eniola Aluko’s brace and goals from Ji So-yun and Beth England secured a 4-0 home win against the bottom club, Doncaster.

Arsenal are third, a further two points back, after their 4-0 victory at Sunderland. Fara Williams scored one penalty and had another saved while Vicky Losada, Jordan Nobbs and Dan Carter were also on target.

The Germany international Isabelle Linden’s 74th-minute equaliser earned Birmingham City a 1-1 draw at Reading, who had taken the lead early in the second half through Melissa Fletcher.