While Arsenal and Chelsea had a weekend off top-flight action as they contested the Conti Cup final, there was still plenty of action across four Women's Super League games.
Manchester United took full advantage of their title rivals being otherwise occupied by easing past relegation-threatened Leicester, while Manchester City moved into second place with an important three points over Tottenham. Elsewhere, there was a new twist in the race for fifth as Aston Villa took maximum points at Everton and Reading breathed new life into their survival bid.
Here are five talking points from the weekend's action in the Women's Super League.
United flying ahead of title showdown
It could be a week that defines Manchester United's growing title ambitions. Marc Skinner's team face Chelsea on Sunday at Kingsmeadow knowing a win would put them firmly in the driving seat for the championship.
That was after a 5-1 thrashing of Leicester, with Alessia Russo firing home United's first WSL hat-trick and then setting-up Leah Galton before Lucia Garcia got the fifth. The win takes them four points clear of Chelsea and nine clear of Arsenal.
Both London clubs play their games originally scheduled for Sunday in midweek, so could cut the gap before United next take the field next. But Skinner's side will be full of confidence; bar their 0-0 draw against Everton, they have safely navigated every test 2023 has thrown up.
Games against Championship side Durham in the FA Cup and Leicester at home may seem straightforward on paper, but United have swatted them aside with ease. Avoid defeat next week and they will have a great chance of going all the way.
Shaw's form keeps City right in the hunt
Manchester City aren't far behind their local neighbours, with Khadija Shaw's latest masterclass seeing off Tottenham. Shaw fired home a hat-trick after Bizet Ildhusoy had give Spurs the lead, extending her sides' unbeaten run.
The Jamaican is clear at the top of the WSL goalscoring charts, three ahead of Villa forward Rachel Daly. Shaw has 17 goal involvements in just 14 games this season and although it takes more than one player to win the league, her form is keeping City firmly in the mix.
Gareth Taylor's squad haven't lost in the league since the second weekend of the season and arguably still have the best front three in the division. Back-to-back games against Chelsea and Arsenal at the end of the month will define their season, but don't rule them out.
Aston Villa stake claim in race for fifth
Every time Aston Villa look like they push towards the top four this season they have suffered a setback. Back-to-back wins at the start of the season were followed be a three-game losing streak, including a surprise defeat to West Ham.
But since Christmas, they seem to have found real consistency with an unbeaten run now at five games, following a 2-0 win at Everton. The Toffees were arguably still favourites to finish fifth before this one, but Villa were in control throughout. January recruits Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Staniforth dominated in the engine room with goalscorer Kenza Dali.
With an FA Cup quarter final to come against a Manchester City side they are yet to lose to in two games so far this season, this could be memorable season for Carla Ward and her players if they can maintain their form.
Reading find goalscoring touch
Only one point clear of a resurgent Leicester going into Sunday, Reading were on shaky ground ahead of a tough-looking game against West Ham. But Rachel Rowe scored a stunning late winner to help the Royals pick up their first points of 2023.
Former Celtic forward Charlie Wellings struck her third of the season to give them the lead and although top-half chasing West Ham levelled through Viviane Asseyi, Rowe fired home a sensational effort five minutes from time.
13 or 14 points could well prove the magic number this season and with Reading now on 10, Kelly Chambers' team may only need one more win to ensure their WSL survival. Although they face a tricky trip to Arsenal next week, the Royals have a huge chance to get that precious victory against Brighton or Reading before the next international break.
Six-pointer with Leicester could define Tottenham season
Spurs did briefly threaten to cause an upset at Manchester City before Shaw's impressive intervention. But regardless of performances, results remain poor for a team that since January have had enough quality in the squad to be picking up points.
They did push Manchester United before the international break and Chelsea at the start of last month, but half-decent displays against the top sides will mean nothing unless they can start backing them up with results. Spurs do have some winnable fixtures at home remaining, against Brighton, Reading and - only a week on Wednesday - bottom-club Leicester. But failure to beat the Foxes on their own patch would leave them in free fall.
Beth England made a good start after joining but is absent, missing the game against City, and although Kit Graham has recently made her return to the fold, the team looks low on confidence. Rehanne Skinner needs a big performance, and quickly. The WSL relegation battle is far from over and Spurs aren't safe yet.
