WSL: Chelsea overcome West Ham challenge to go back on top

Chelsea returned to the top of the Women's Super League table with an early strike from Agnes Beever-Jones and a late goal from Erin Cuthbert on Sunday, defeating West Ham United 2-0 away to edge ahead of Manchester City on goal difference.

City took top spot with a 3-1 victory over Manchester United on Saturday, reaching 43 points, but Beever-Jones scored in the second minute to boost the champions' title defence.

Chelsea did not have it all their own way, as West Ham's Honoka Hayashi had a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside, but substitute Cuthbert's 88th-minute strike sealed the victory.

In Sunday's late game, third-placed Arsenal maintained their pursuit of the leaders thanks to a Victoria Pelova strike and late goals from Lotte Wubben-Moy and Stina Blackstenius as they rallied from a goal down to defeat Aston Villa 3-1 away.

The result puts the Gunners on 37 points, six behind the top two, with five games remaining in the 22-game season.

Leicester City's game against Brighton & Hove Albion came to life in the second half, with the home side taking the lead before the Seagulls snatched a 3-2 victory thanks to an 85th-minute goal from Elisabeth Terland.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Bethany England scored in a 1-0 win over Bristol City, becoming only the second woman after Arsenal's Vivianne Miedema to reach 70 goals in the WSL. Spurs are in sixth place with 25 points, while City have just six.

SportsLigue