Women's Super League review: Manchester United go top after Arsenal win

Manchester United overtook Arsenal at the top of the Barclays Women's Super League after ending the Gunners' 100 percent start to the season. Ella Toone scored the only goal in United's victory, whilst the American pair of Tobin Heath and Christen Press were a constant threat against the misfiring former leaders.

United head coach Casey Stoney recognized how important it is for her side's development to be able to beat the other top teams in the league. "It's massive for the players' mentally and belief - going into these games - that they can compete, they can win, because a winning mindset is really important.

"You have to have belief first that you can do it, so I think they've got that now."

Chelsea moved up to third with a 4-0 thrashing of Everton. Despite the scoreline, the Blues only took control in the final quarter following Ji So-yun's early strike. Beth England scored twice in three second-half minutes before world-record signing Pernile Harder added the gloss to the performance deep into injury time.

There was a first-ever WSL victory for Aston Villa, who beat Brighton 2-0. Goals from Anita Asante and Ramona Petzelberger lifted Villa up to tenth. West Ham also secured their first win of the season, 2-1 at Birmingham City.

Only Tottenham and Bristol City have now yet to register a victory this term. Both were in action on Saturday, when Spurs were able to give USA star Alex Morgan a first appearance off the bench against Reading. However, with the scores already level at 1-1, Morgan was unable to inspire her team to victory.

Bristol were hit by a Covid outbreak which left them without five first-team players as they lost a fifth consecutive league fixture - torn apart 8-1 by a rampant Manchester City. Ellen White scored twice, whilst Coombs, Walsh, Bronze, Stanway and Beckie also netted along with an own goal from Sophie Baggaley.