Alessia Russo continued her outstanding run of form as Arsenal claimed a hard-fought victory over Liverpool at Anfield, while Manchester City returned to the top of the Women’s Super League after Chelsea were held by Everton.

There was plenty of movement elsewhere in the division, with Tottenham Hotspur completing a second-half comeback against Brighton, Crystal Palace leaving it late to beat Charlton and Manchester United extending their unbeaten league run.

London City Lionesses also kept themselves within touching distance of the leading sides with a convincing victory over Birmingham City.

Russo fires Arsenal to important Anfield victory

Arsenal claimed a third league win of the season after beating Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield, with Russo scoring twice to continue her impressive goalscoring form.

The England forward opened the scoring after just nine minutes, finishing from close range following a bright start from Renée Slegers’ side.

However, Liverpool responded quickly. Beata Olsson controlled Natalia Ramos’ ball over the top before evading Leah Williamson and finding the net to bring the hosts level.

The Reds thought they had completed the turnaround when Jenna Clark reacted quickest to score from a corner, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Vivien Endemann was adjudged to have touched the ball before Clark finished, although replays appeared to show Arsenal defender Steph Catley had made the decisive contact.

Russo restored Arsenal’s advantage just before half-time, guiding Lisa Baum’s pinpoint cross into the bottom corner with a well-placed downward header.

Liverpool continued to threaten after the break, while Clark produced an important intervention to deny Russo a hat-trick in the 72nd minute. The visitors held on to secure three valuable points.

Russo has now scored seven goals in her past four matches across all competitions, providing a timely boost ahead of a demanding run of fixtures against Barcelona, London City Lionesses and Lyon.

Slegers praised the forward’s finishing after the match, describing her as a world-class player who consistently finds dangerous positions inside the penalty area.

The result moves Arsenal up to seventh in the table, while Liverpool remain 11th and are now without a league win in five matches.

The Gunners have also extended their remarkable record against Liverpool, having now won 22 of their 28 meetings in the competition.

Manchester City return to summit as Chelsea stumble

Manchester City reclaimed top spot with a commanding 5-0 victory over West Ham, inspired by a hat-trick from Khadija Shaw.

Shaw opened the scoring before heading in her second after the interval. Aoba Fujino and Iman Beney then added their first league goals of the season, before Shaw completed her hat-trick to take her league tally to 12.

It was a particularly important result after Chelsea dropped points at Stamford Bridge, allowing City to establish a two-point advantage at the summit.

Chelsea had looked on course for another victory when Sandy Baltimore headed them in front against Everton following a well-worked corner routine.

However, Lucy Bronze inadvertently turned Yuka Momiki’s cross into her own net to give the visitors an equaliser on the defender’s 150th appearance in the competition.

The Blues were unable to find a winner despite enjoying plenty of possession, leaving them second in the table ahead of a huge meeting with Manchester City on Saturday, 14 November.

Palace leave it late to defeat Charlton

Crystal Palace produced a dramatic late comeback to beat Charlton 3-2 in a south London derby.

Charlton goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse inadvertently turned Lexi Lloyd-Smith’s cross into her own net to give Palace the lead, but Elisha N'Dow equalised after Keira Flannery’s penalty came back off the crossbar.

Leah Davidson then put Charlton ahead just a minute later, raising hopes of a first top-flight points haul since their return to the division.

However, Palace refused to give up. Aimee Everett headed the hosts level before Bethany England scored in the 90th minute to complete the turnaround.

The victory lifts Palace to 10th, while Charlton remain bottom without a point after nine matches.

Manchester United extend unbeaten run

Manchester United secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park, with substitute Julia Zigiotti Olme scoring the decisive goal.

United dominated much of the first half but struggled to turn their possession into a breakthrough, with Hinata Miyazawa striking the crossbar.

Villa improved after the interval, but Zigiotti Olme found space to head home Hanna Lundkvist’s cross in the 72nd minute.

The result extends United’s unbeaten league run to seven matches and leaves them fifth, just one point behind Tottenham.

Tottenham complete Brighton comeback

Tottenham moved further clear in fourth place after recovering from an early setback to beat Brighton 2-1.

Fran Kirby gave Brighton the lead after just two minutes, but Spurs turned the game around shortly after half-time.

Signe Gaupset equalised following a clever pass from Olivia Holdt, who then scored herself less than a minute later after Drew Spence won possession inside Brighton’s penalty area.

Holdt finished with a goal and an assist as Tottenham secured their second consecutive league victory.

Martin Ho’s side remain fourth, three points behind London City Lionesses and one ahead of Manchester United.

London City maintain title ambitions

London City Lionesses continued their impressive campaign with a 4-1 victory over Birmingham City.

Poppy Pattinson opened the scoring with a superb strike before Delphine Cascarino doubled the advantage with an excellent individual effort.

Birmingham briefly threatened a comeback when Océane Hurtré found the net, but Grace Geyoro restored London City’s two-goal cushion with a long-range finish.

Substitute Kadidiatou Diani added a fourth in stoppage time after being set up by Freya Godfrey.

The result keeps London City third, six points behind leaders Manchester City, with their trip to Arsenal next weekend offering another opportunity to strengthen their position.

Women’s Super League table takes shape

Manchester City lead the way with a two-point advantage over Chelsea, while London City Lionesses remain third. Tottenham and Manchester United are separated by just one point in fourth and fifth respectively.

Arsenal’s victory moves them up to seventh, while Liverpool remain 11th and Charlton continue to search for their first points of the campaign.

Next weekend’s meeting between Chelsea and Manchester City could have a significant impact on the title race, while London City’s visit to Arsenal presents another important test for both sides.