Chelsea bounced back from their thrashing by Arsenal to beat Bristol City 3-0 at Ashton Gate and ensure they went into the winter break three points clear at the top of the Women's Super League.
The Blues went down 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium a week ago, but Lauren James' superb effort in the 17th minute set them on their way on Sunday before Erin Cuthbert scored with a volley and Sam Kerr added a header.
The visitors, who had Republic of Ireland internationals Megan Connolly and Chloe Mustaki in their back five, also had Niamh Charles sent off in stoppage time as they took advantage of Arsenal's shock defeat to Tottenham on Saturday to open up a gap at the top.
Manchester City moved ahead of the Gunners into second place on goal difference after Bunny Shaw's hat-trick earned a 4-1 win against Everton.
Shaw quickly made amends for having a penalty saved when she put City in front in the ninth minute and she added a second before Jill Roord extended the lead.
Aurora Galli pulled one back with an incredible strike in the second half, but Shaw's header completed her treble and sealed a fourth straight league win for City.
Ireland number one Courtney Brosnan was in goal for Everton, while Girls in Green team-mate, Heather Payne was at wing-back and Megan Campbell was among the substitutes used by the Toffees.
Liverpool earned their first WSL victory over Manchester United after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Leigh Sports Village.
Ella Toone opened the scoring for the hosts just three minutes in, but the Reds levelled through Millie Turner's own goal.
Captain Taylor Hinds then found the winner in the 68th minute as Liverpool, who introduced Irish striker Leanne Kiernan as a sub, moved level on points with fourth-placed United.
Adriana Leon's superb solo goal proved enough for Aston Villa to survive a late sending-off and earn a battling 1-0 win over Brighton at the Bescot Stadium.
Leon scored the only goal of the game just past the hour mark when she cut in from the flank and poked the ball through the legs of visiting keeper Sophie Baggaley, though Villa were forced to play the last few minutes with 10 players after Maz Pacheco was sent off for a second bookable offence after a foul on Katie Robinson.
Honoka Hayashi's stoppage-time equaliser salvaged a point for West Ham in a dramatic 1-1 draw with Leicester at the King Power Stadium.
The Hammers were left to rue their missed opportunities when Lena Petermann put the Foxes ahead in the 68th minute.
A poor afternoon got worse for West Ham when captain Hawa Cissoko was sent off in added time, but Hayashi struck in the eighth minute of time added on to lift the visitors off the foot of the table.
Irish duo Jess Ziu and goalkeeper Megan Walsh started for West Ham, while ex-Shelbourne defender Jessie Stapleton came off the bench.
