STEPH HOUGHTON was one of five different City scorers as they ran riot against Brighton – thrashing them 5-0.
The England skipper set the ball rolling when she belted in an indirect free-kick after three minutes.
Steph Houghton was one of five different goalscorers for Man City as they thrashed BrightonCredit: PA:Press Association
Ellen White celebrates her strike for Man City v BrightonCredit: PA:Press Association
Georgia Stanway left defenders in her wake to get her name on the scoresheetCredit: PA:Press Association
Lionesses team-mate Ellen White steered in a Janine Beckie cross from a tight angle.
And when Lauren Hemp nodded in the third before half-time, Brighton must have feared the worst.
Georgia Stanway rounded keeper Sophie Harris for the fourth and sub Pauline Bremer kneed a late fifth.
READING 3 TOTTENHAM 1
ELSEWHERE, Amalie Eikeland’s superb late strike wrapped up a fine Reading comeback win.
Goals from Eikeland, Remi Allen and Jo Potter helped the Royals leapfrog Tottenham into sixth after Siri Worm’s 51st-minute opener.
Boss Kelly Chambers said: “We had enough chances to win by more. But it was nice to come away with the three points and, most importantly, pull away from Spurs.
“It’s a tight league and that’s what we want it to be.
“We’re buzzing as this was one of our most crucial fixtures going into Christmas.
“I was ecstatic after the second goal — it was something we deserved in the end.”
Amalie Eikeland bagged late on to wrap up a superb comeback win for ReadingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Worm put the visitors ahead after curling the ball brilliantly past keeper Grace Moloney from a Kit Graham cross.
But Fara Williams cross’ led to a desperate scramble in the box that saw Potter net a well- deserved equaliser for the hosts after 76 minutes.
Allen then put the Royals ahead with a scrappy toe-poke two minutes from time, leading to a huge celebratory pile-up of Reading players sliding in the mud.
And in the tenth minute of injury-time Eikeland ran clear before firing a shot perfectly into the left corner past keeper Rachel Law.
Spurs boss Juan Amoros said: “When you compete well, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But unfortunately we were on the losing side.
“The girls did a fantastic job. We will enjoy a week of relaxing but then we go again.
“This is not our job this is our passion and we’re very happy with the group we have now.”
There were just two points separating the sides going into this clash.
But Reading are now ahead by a point with a game in hand.
LIVERPOOL 1 CHELSEA 1
TITLE-CHASING Chelsea manager Emma Hayes reckons her side’s dodgy finishing denied her unbeaten players a vital win before Christmas.
WSL strugglers Liverpool battled their way to a 1-1 home draw against the Londoners.
The shock result saw the Reds move up one spot from the foot of the table — and leaves the Blues four points behind leaders Arsenal.
Hayes said: “Liverpool performed well today and made it difficult.
“They’ve shown in games against the top three teams that they will only concede one goal in a game.
“But we should have been out of sight at half-time.
“Lack of efficiency in front of goal is the reason I’m standing here talking about a draw and not the three points. It’s disappointing. We aim to win every game.”
Emma Hayes was not happy after her Chelsea side could only manage a draw at LiverpoolCredit: PA:Press Association
Liverpool took a surprise lead in fourth minute courtesy of a scrappy effort from Niamh Charles that rolled across the line.
And soon after Kop keeper Frances Kitching pulled off a great save to keep them ahead.
But the lead did not last, with the Blues equalising in the 14th minute.
An 11th WSL goal from on-fire striker Bethany England paved the way to a Chelsea onslaught.
England had an opportunity for a second goal from six yards out following a sweeping cross, but the ball glanced wide of the post.
Hayes slammed the state of the Prenton Park pitch, rapping: “The quality is the worst in the league. It’s a stain on their football club.”
At Liverpool’s neighbours Everton, Vivianne Miedema scored twice to ensure Arsenal will be top of the WSL at Christmas.
But the win came at a cost as England forward Beth Mead was carried off with a leg injury.
Gunners skipper Kim Little netted from the spot before ex-Arsenal forward Chloe Kelly scored a late consolation for the Toffees.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
