WSL roundup: Chelsea return to top, Everton thump Brighton

Chelsea have regained top spot in the Women’s Super League after a 2-0 win over relegation battlers Aston Villa.

Manchester City’s win over Reading yesterday had seen them go top but a Sam Kerr double ensured Chelsea would finish the weekend two points clear.

Kerr and Fran Kirby combined well once again and caused all sorts of problems for the Villa defence. Kerr got onto the end of a lofted Kirby pass to head into the top corner for the opener.

The pair teamed up once again in the second half to score Chelsea’s second. Kirby made the most of a poor clearance to find Kerr, who lofted the ball in from 14 yards.

Elsewhere, Hayley Raso scored her first senior hat-trick as Everton thumped Brighton 5-0 to strengthen their hold on fifth place.

Izzy Christiansen opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Raso got her first when she dribbled past two defenders before shooting through the legs of two more into the bottom corner.

She scored twice more in the second half, heading in from close range and firing in from eight yards, either side of Simone Magill’s tap-in.

In the day’s final game, Birmingham City and Bristol City played out a 1-1 draw.

Charlie Wellings put Bristol City ahead after Carla Humphrey’s shot was blocked.

Birmingham hit back in the second half though when Christie Murray’s shot hit the top corner.