Chelsea cruised to a comfortable win against West Ham United at Victoria Road, propelling them to the summit of the Women's Super League standings despite having played one match fewer than league leaders Manchester City, who host Arsenal later on Sunday. The Blues had to exert effort to claim the three points, and it was not until the 37th minute that they finally broke the deadlock. Summer signing Melvine Malard, arriving from Manchester United, calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving Chelsea the lead just eight minutes before the break. After the interval, West Ham continued to test Sonia Bompastor's side, but the breakthrough came in the 80th minute when England midfielder Keira Walsh struck from the edge of the box, netting her third league goal of the season and effectively sealing the result.
Chelsea added a fourth goal in injury time when Maika Hamano headed in from a far‑post cross, preserving their unbeaten start to the campaign. In another headline‑making match, London City Lionesses confirmed their title‑challenge credentials with a dominant 6‑1 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur. The Spurs, who had remained unbeaten in the top flight until that day, were overwhelmed as Alexia Putellas found the net twice, following her opening goal against Brighton the previous weekend. Putellas opened the scoring merely three minutes into the game, capitalising on a rebound after Grave Geyoro’s long‑range effort was palmed away into her path.
The second Lionesses goal emerged from a well‑executed team move: Lucia Corrales delivered a cross that Kadidiatou Diani tapped in, marking the French forward’s first WSL goal. Putellas added a third from a corner, after a clever pass from Danielle van de Donk, who later missed an open‑goal chance that would have made it 4‑0. Tottenham’s only half‑time threat came when Julie Blakstad’s free‑kick struck the bar, but the north London side’s woes continued after the break when Corrales again found Diani, whose shot slipped beneath goalkeeper Lize Kop.
Victoria Pelova later reduced the deficit for Spurs with a finish from a Blakstad cross, yet defensive frailties persisted as a Kop clearance ricocheted to Diani for her second goal. In the dying moments, Delphine Cascarino squeezed a final tally past Kop, completing a six‑goal haul for the Lionesses.
Everton’s Ruby Mace responded to an England omission by delivering a brace in a 2‑1 triumph over Birmingham City. After being left out of Sarina Wiegman's squad for the upcoming international break, Mace made her case early, converting a rebound after Yuka Momiki’s effort hit the post. Everton dominated the opening exchanges, with Mace and Maria Vignolia forcing goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley into several early saves. Birmingham’s Oceane Hurtre, however, kept her side in the game, scoring her fifth league goal of the season after a swift breakaway.
Everton later faced a setback when Zara Kramzar suffered a serious injury before halftime, and Birmingham controlled much of the second half. A penalty appeal for Hurtre was waved away, and Lily Crosthwaite’s curling effort went wide. Mace completed her brace with a long‑range strike that took a double deflection before finding the far corner, securing the win for Everton, who moved back into fifth place, overtaking Merseyside rivals Liverpool.
Crystal Palace earned a valuable point at Aston Villa thanks to Abbie Larkin’s long‑range equaliser, which neutralised Noelle Maritz’s early second‑half goal. Palace, under interim manager Brian Sorensen after the dismissal of Natalia Arroyo, were on the verge of their first win of the season but settled for a draw at Villa Park.
Maritz’s first‑time finish gave Villa the lead, only for Larkin to surge forward from midfield and fire a low shot that bounced past goalkeeper Akane Okuma. Both teams created late chances: Villa substitute Georgia Mullet side‑footed a close‑range attempt over the bar, while Palace’s Shannon O'Brien missed a clear‑cut opportunity in stoppage time. Brighton secured a convincing victory over newly promoted Charlton Athletic, with Kiko Seike netting a double as the visitors suffered their fifth league defeat.
Charlton’s Cassandra Korhonen opened the scoring in the third minute, capitalising on a tap‑in after her initial shot was saved. Brighton responded quickly when Seike tapped in from close range after Olivia Garcia’s well‑timed pass. Before the break, Seike’s drive down the left wing set up Fran Kirby, who slotted home to make it 2‑1. The second half saw Seike add another goal, and Brighton added two late goals in stoppage time – Maisie Symonds’ cross was turned in, and Gabrille George headed home – sealing a 5‑1 win.
Overall, the round of fixtures highlighted Chelsea’s steady ascent, London City’s attacking prowess, Everton’s resilience, and the competitive nature of the league as teams continue to fight for position and pride.