Easter Sunday brought it with it plenty of action in the Barclays Women’s Super League as Kirsty Hanson’s dramatic injury-time winner helped Aston Villa see off Tottenham Hotspur in a five-goal thriller.
Meanwhile Manchester United’s title hopes were dealt a hammer blow after a goalless draw at West Ham.
The result leaves Marc Skinner’s side in third, two points behind Arsenal and five adrift of league leaders Chelsea, though the Blues have a game in hand.
Elsewhere, Liverpool climbed above Brighton & Hove Albion into fifth place after a 2-1 win over the Seagulls while identical twins Karen and Sara Holmgaard helped Everton stifle Manchester City’s chase for Champions League football next season after a 1-1 draw.
Hanson sinks Spurs
Substitute Kirsty Hanson struck a minute into injury-time to secure a precious three points for Aston Villa against Tottenham Hotspur as they won 3-2.
Anna Patten celebrated her birthday in style by heading Villa into the lead before Ebony Salmon doubled the advantage after firing past an on-rushing Lize Kop.
Jess Naz handed Spurs a lifeline when she prodded home from close range after a corner, with teammate Ella Morris then levelling the scores minutes later after a mistake from Villa keeper Sabrina D’Angelo.
With time running out and little seemingly separating the two teams, Hanson finished a counter-attacking move late on to secure victory and leave Villa seven points clear of bottom-placed Crystal Palace.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT THREE POINTS 💜 pic.twitter.com/4Zma6dIelF
— Aston Villa Women (@AVWFCOfficial) April 20, 2025
Hammers dent Red Devils title hopes
Manchester United’s hopes of challenging Chelsea at the summit of the table were dealt a hammer blow after a frustrating goalless draw at West Ham United.
The Red Devils enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but were unable to convert their chances, twice striking the woodwork in the opening 45 minutes.
Elisabeth Terland seemed set to open the scoring in the 47th minute but Hammers shot-stopper Kinga Szemik proved equal to her effort.
Down the other end of the pitch, Phallon Tullis-Joyce was unthreatened but that will prove little consolation to Marc Skinner after watching his side miss an opportunity to further close the gap on the league leaders.
Reds rise above Seagulls
Liverpool overcame Brighton & Hove Albion with a 2-1 win over the Seagulls.
First-half strikes from Olivia Smith and Leanne Kiernan proved enough to settle the contest despite Michelle Agyemang halving the deficit minutes after the restart.
Smith broke the deadlock with a low finish after deftly controlling Ceri Holland’s delivery from the left-hand side early into proceedings.
The Reds doubled their advantage to close out the first half when Holland found Kiernan after intercepting an errant pass before the Irish international fired into the net.
Agyemang pulled one back for her side with a poacher’s finish but that was as good as it got for Brighton.
UP THE REDS!!! 👏🔴#BHALIV pic.twitter.com/rEI99wxcRy
— Liverpool FC Women (@LiverpoolFCW) April 19, 2025
Twins help Toffees dim City
Manchester City were forced to share the spoils after identical twins Karen and Sara Holmgaard combined to help Everton rescue a point with a 1-1 draw at Joie Stadium.
Kerstin Casparij fired City into the lead after 13 minutes when she beat Everton keeper Emily Ramsey to the ball before prodding home.
But her side were pegged back when Karen Holmgaard stole in at the back post to head home from Sara Holmgaard’s delivery and the twins almost repeated the feat in the second half, though Karen Holmgaard was unable to guide her header towards goal.
The result leaves City seven points adrift of neighbours United for the third and final Champions League spot while Everton remain in eighth.
