Chelsea were the big winners from the latest round of the WSL after their 3-2 London derby win at Tottenham.
Emma Hayes' team now sit clear at the top of the table, after Man Utd dropped points at home to Everton and Arsenal could only manage a goalless draw at West Ham. Manchester City also stayed in touch with the pace setters with a 2-0 win at Leicester.
Elsewhere, Liverpool picked up a much needed three points against Reading to give themselves breathing space from the relegation battle. Brighton earned a first point since the winter break and manager Jens Scheuer's arrival with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.
Here are the big talking points from what could prove a pivotal week in the top flight.
Chelsea back on WSL summit after thriller with improved Spurs
Manager Hayes may have called her team's defending "sloppy" after their win at Tottenham, but considering Sunday's other results, securing the three points was all that mattered for Chelsea. They did so after Jess Carter's early header, Lauren James' wonderful solo goal and Guro Reiten's strike secured a 3-2 win.
Spurs pushed them hard and levelled through new signing and former Blue Beth England. Nikola Karczewska's late strike then ensured a nervy finish for the title holders, but they held on to move top of the league.
Hayes may not have been entirely happy with her team's display, even asking for more from player of the match Lauren James in her post-match interview. But once again Chelsea found a way to dig out a result when not playing at their best.
They are now unbeaten in league 11 games, extended to 19 if you throw in Europe and the cups as well and, at this point, have to considered favourites for the title.
Man Utd and Arsenal stalemates show how competitive the league has become
Ever since Aston Villa and Liverpool stunned Man City and Chelsea on the opening day, the competitive nature of the WSL has been a recurring theme throughout the season. This was again evident on Sunday.
Firstly, Man Utd surrendered their lead at the top after a 0-0 stalemate with Everton. United did field Alessia Russo for the first time since her deadline day transfer saga, but the best chances instead fell to her close friend Ella Toone. Marc Skinner's had to settle for a point despite dominating proceedings, but credit is due to Everton who defended resiliently and through their bodies in the way of everything at the back.
Arsenal, the club who tried to sign Russo last week, then had their own shortcomings in front of goal when they were held to a 0-0 draw at West Ham in the evening game. In truth, the Gunners had more than enough chances to win, the best falling to Frida Maanum and Stina Blackstenius.
But West Ham just about deserved their point for a heroic display at the back and even had chances to take the lead in the opening minutes, although the Hammers didn't have a shot in the entire second half. But this shows the league is now full of teams who refuse to be pushovers and can make life very difficult for the title chasers.
As a result, every weekend from now until the end of the season could see similar twists and turns. The race to be league champions is no longer decided by just three or four games a season - every point counts.
Liverpool get much needed morale boost
Back at Prenton Park in the league for the first time in just over two months, Liverpool got a crucial 2-0 win over Reading thanks to goals from Missy Bo Kearns and Ceri Holland. The Reds have had a frustrating time since Christmas due to postponements, a disappointing Conti Cup exit to West Ham and a thrashing at Man Utd.
But four January window arrivals have given a real lift to Matt Beard's squad and they looked an impressive unit against the Royals. Japan's Fuka Nagano in particular gave a composed display on the ball, with Holland and the recently re-signed Gemma Bonner superb from the start.
In their first season back in the top flight, the Reds should now be looking up the table rather than worrying about getting dragged into the relegation battle. The same can't be said for Reading and if bottom of the table Leicester do manage a result at Liverpool next week, the Royals will be feeling the pressure.
Shaw again the difference maker as Man City stay in the hunt
After a disappointing 1-1 draw with Aston Villa a fortnight ago, many thought Man City were out of the title picture. For a long time against lowly Leicester, that looked to be the case with Gareth Taylor's side unable to beat an inspired Janina Leitzig in the Foxes goal.
But top scorer Bunny Shaw has been making the difference all season and did so once again at the King Power, getting her tenth of the season. With the game locked a 0-0 and starting to feel a little tense, Shaw produced a superb header to give City the precious breakthrough just after the hour mark and they never looked back.
Chloe Kelly then produced a wonderful strike after cutting inside to seal the three points and help her side go third in the table. They still have work to do to catch Chelsea, but with Shaw proving impossible to stop right now you can't completely rule them out.
Brighton's new-look team shows heart
A goal down to an in-form Aston Villa on Saturday, Brighton could have easily crumbled. New manager Jens Scheuer must have feared the worst when Kayleigh Green turned a cross into her own net on 32 minutes, with another defeat on the cards.
But Albion showed real heart in the second half and deserved their equaliser, which arrived when Julia Olme capitalised on a defensive mix-up. Not only did they manage to keep Rachel Daly quiet, Brighton also secured a first point in the league since Scheuer's arrival during the winter break.
The most active club in the January window, looked a mess when beaten 3-0 at Leicester last month, but this point takes them five clear of the WSL's bottom side. They have a tough run coming up, but if Albion are still clear of the drop zone by the time they play Reading at the end of March, Scheuer may have found the route to survival.
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