Chelsea maintained their three-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Women’s Super League thanks to a 1-0 win at Everton. The leaders held their advantage for 78 minutes after Magdalena Eriksson glanced a free-kick in off the bar.

Everton were close to equalising with just three minutes to go when Angharad James saw Carly Telford off her line and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper, only to see it rebound off the bar.

Second-placed Manchester City kept the pressure on the leaders by defeating Sunderland 3-0 at home. Georgia Stanway put City ahead after 14 minutes when she drove a powerful shot goalwards from the edge of the area, leaving goalkeeper Rachel Laws little chance. It took until the 87th minute for City to double their lead when Stanway got her second of the match, then substitute Nadia Nadim added some gloss to the result by scoring a third in injury-time.

A sublime volley from Bethany England set Liverpool on their way to a 2-0 victory over Bristol City. England smashed in her opener in the 48th minute and the result was confirmed late on when Alex Greenwood converted a penalty after England was fouled in the area.

Arsenal made light work of Reading as they came out 3-1 winners. Kim Little initiated proceedings by curling in a shot from outside the area to open the scoring. Dominique Janssen was the quickest to react in the box after Louise Quinn knocked down a header from a corner, allowing the Dutch international to steer the ball home for the second.

Fara Williams reduced the deficit five minutes after the half-time break but Danielle van de Donk restored Arsenal’s two-goal advantage when she rounded the goalkeeper and slotted into the empty net.

Bottom-of-the-table Yeovil Town picked up their first point of the season by drawing 0-0 at home against Birmingham City.