It was another huge weekend in the WSL title race, with Chelsea returning to the summit after seeing off rivals Man Utd.
Sam Kerr's goal did the damage for the champions, who are now firmly in the driving seat after edging out United in a tight game at Kingsmeadow. However, their London neighbours Arsenal also kept up the pace with a routine 4-0 win over Reading, moving three points behind Man City.
Liverpool all but confirmed their survival as they plunged Tottenham deeper into the battle to avoid the drop with a 2-1 win. Aston Villa tightened their grip on fifth with a 2-1 win over West Ham, while Man City also ensured they are still in the title picture.
And Leicester boosted their survival hopes by claiming a point against Everton, following a 0-0 draw. Here are the big talking points from the latest round of WSL action.
1. Kerr ensures Chelsea still the team to beat
Last Sunday was a tough one for Chelsea. Beaten in the Conti Cup final by Arsenal, the Blues also had to see wins for title rivals Man Utd and Man City in the WSL.
They did return to winning ways against Brighton but manager Emma Hayes then missed training on Friday due to illness. In short, it will have felt like a long week, but thanks to one moment of quality from Lauren James and Sam Kerr, the Blues managed to defeat United in a huge game at Kingsmeadow.
James found the in-form Aussie with a superb long ball, Kerr doing the rest to beat Mary Earps and grab the winner. Chelsea had a number of players missing, with Guro Reiten out due to illness and Erin Cuthbert not ready to return, but they found a way to win.
The holders are back top of the table and if the beat Man City away from home at the end of the month, one of the most exciting title battles in recent years may come to an abrupt end.
2. Skinner penalty claims could re-open VAR debate
The big post-match story from the title rivals' showdown was Marc Skinner claiming his team were denied two stonewall penalties in the first-half. The United boss was left disappointed with the decisions to wave away claims after Nikita Parris and Ona Batlle were brought down in the penalty area in separate incidents.
"It helps if you get the two decisions that should go for you,” said Skinner. “They’re two big decisions. That’s the reality in big games."
Skinner also floated the idea again of technology coming into the WSL sooner rather than later to help officials. With Arsenal later on getting a soft-looking penalty in their win over Reading, is now the time to bring VAR into the women's top flight?
3. Tottenham in freefall as Liverpool surge
Liverpool are now on the verge of maintaining their place in the top flight, in their first year back in the WSL after promotion. That was after Matt Beard's Reds came from behind to beat Tottenham 2-1 and leave their opponents in deep relegation trouble.
Beth England returned for Spurs, who did lead through Rosella Ayane's excellent goal. England did look lively upfront but the crucial second goal never came.
They paid when Emma Koivisto levelled before Missy Bo Kearns' strike completed a first-half comeback. Liverpool couldn't add a third but they controlled the second half, with Tottenham in disarray.
Spurs are on a dire run and have not picked up a league win since thrashing Brighton 8-0 in October. With bottom-placed Leicester gaining a point after a 0-0 draw with top-half Everton, Rehanne Skinner and her team now only have a two-point gap from the drop zone. Could they be the team to drop into the Championship?
4. Arsenal handle the pressure
A home win over Reading may appear routine, but this was a decent victory for Arsenal. The Conti Cup winners, like Chelsea, had to manage three games in the space of a week.
They dealt with the Royals in impressive fashion, albeit they were helped by a generous penalty award in the third minute when Katie McCabe went over in the box - captain Kim Little making no mistake from the spot.
Frida Maanum then doubled Arsenal's lead, before an own goal and Leah Williamson gave the scoreline added gloss after the break - the Gunners winning 4-0. Jonas Eidevall said he wouldn't watch Chelsea vs Manchester United earlier in the day.
However, it's never easy to having to respond to your title rivals winning such a big game. The Gunners stepped out against Reading knowing failure to win would end their remaining title hopes. The fact they won so comfortably shows the character that runs through the Arsenal squad.
5. Shaw continues City hot streak
Like Arsenal, Man City won't consider themselves out of the title race yet, following a dramatic late win at Brighton. Bunny Shaw hit an 89th-minute winner to give Gareth Taylor's team a huge 2-1 win, seeing them join Man Utd on 35 points, only two behind Chelsea.
She had already struck once, after working a wonderful opening with Yui Hasegawa. But Brighton, fighting for their top-flight status, look better defensively with Amy Merricks back at the helm as interim boss for a second time this season.
And when they hit back through Elisabeth Terland it became a very nervy afternoon for City. But Shaw fired past Megan Walsh in the final seconds of normal time to settle an absorbing encounter.
It continues a remarkable season for the Jamaican forward, who has 15 league goals for the campaign. Her winner also means her current season is the most prolific in Man City history, with 25 in all competitions setting a new record, even with two months of the season to play.
City face Chelsea when the WSL returns after the FA Cup in two weeks' time and on current form they may be able to hurt the defending champions.
