Stina Blackstenius was the match-winner as Arsenal beat Manchester City 4-3 in a Barclays Women’s Super League classic.
The visitors leapt into a two-goal lead as Mariona Caldentey slotted home and Lotte Wubben-Moy’s flying header from a free-kick landed in.
In a see-saw contest, City came roaring back through Mary Fowler and Vivianne Miedema before Frida Maanum restored Arsenal’s lead and Fowler struck a second from the spot at 3-3.
Blackstenius bagged the winning goal on 78 minutes as the Gunners strengthened their grip on second place.
Arsenal’s action-packed win topped the bill on a weekend that saw both Merseyside clubs claim vital victories and Chelsea leave it late to beat Aston Villa.
Chelsea scrape past Villa
Only a last-gasp own goal prevented Aston Villa from holding champions Chelsea to a draw.
In their first game under new manager Natalia Arroyo, the West Midlands side held their own and had the best chance as Kirsty Hanson hit the bar in the second half.
But an unfortunate own goal from Sarah Mayling saw her divert Maika Hamano’s ball into her own net as Chelsea opened up a ten-point lead at the top of the table.
Toffees on the up
Everton’s mini revival continued with an impressive 4-1 win over Leicester City.
Building on the positivity injected by the 2-0 defeat of Spurs in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, Brian Sorensen’s side showed a ruthless streak previously absent in their play.
Kelly Gago’s arrival has made a major difference to the Toffees’ finishing and she opened the scoring on five minutes, before Shannon O’Brien drew the visitors level.
The home side pulled clear in the second half in impressive fashion with Gago doubling her tally and Katja Snoeijs and Honoka Hayashi also getting their names on the scoresheet.
Kiernan powers Reds
Like neighbours Everton, Liverpool harnessed FA Cup momentum to claim a timely 1-0 victory over West Ham United.
The two sides met on Wednesday in the fourth round and the Reds ran out 5-0 winners but this was a much more closely fought affair.
The Hammers came close on a few occasions, including through Vivane Asseyi and Shekiera Martinez in the first half.
But Leanne Kiernan poached the only goal on 33 minutes to earn her side back-to-back home wins for the first time this term.
Plucky Palace draw
My Cato tapped home a late equaliser as bottom side Crystal Palace battled back to draw 1-1 with Brighton.
A mix-up in the Palace defence between Lily Woodham and Milla-Maj Majasaari saw them go behind after 18 minutes.
The momentum shifted when Maisie Symonds was sent off early in the second half.
With two minutes of normal time remaining, Woodham atoned for her earlier error when she cut back for Cato to prod in a leveller.
