Arsenal celebrated Renee Slegers' permanent appointment as head coach by recording a comprehensive 5-0 victory, at home to Crystal Palace in the Women's Super League.
Captain Leah Williamson grabbed her first Gunners goal since March 2023 with a sixth-minute opener that was assisted via Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe's corner kick, but it failed to open the floodgates.
That was the case after Alessia Russo doubled the hosts' advantage at Meadow Park after 63 minutes, with Beth Mead on target before Mariona Caldentey registered a late brace to secure an emphatic victory.
A hat-trick by Ella Toone helped Manchester United stun Manchester City by a 4-2 score to leapfrog their rivals in the table.
Toone had never found the net against United's arch nemeses but changed that in a barnstorming derby at Etihad Stadium.
Two first-half strikes by England midfielder Toone alongside Leah Galton's 21st-minute tap-in put the visitors in control after an error-strewn City display.
Gareth Taylor's side fought back before the break, however, through Vivianne Miedema and Rebecca Knaak.
It set up an intriguing second period but Toone completed her treble a matter of seconds after half-time when City goalkeeper Khiara Keating had her clearance closed down.
Marc Skinner's United never looked back afterwards to claim a memorable win, which means Chelsea hold a seven-point advantage at the summit after returning to winning ways with a resounding 5-0 thrashing of West Ham.
Sonia Bompastor had boasted a perfect record in the division after nine fixtures until the Blues dropped points in a surprise 1-1 draw at Leicester on 14 December.
A winter break followed but the visitors scored three times in the first half at Chigwell Construction Stadium, in their first league match for more than a month, to keep hold of their healthy lead at the summit.
Catarina Macario, Erin Cuthbert and Aggie Beever-Jones struck before half-time for Chelsea and Sandy Baltimore added a fourth after the break, with the scoring wrapped up when Amber Tysiak put through her own net late on.
A fourth-minute own goal by Janina Leitzig earned Tottenham a hard-fought 1-0 win over Leicester to move them up to sixth in the table.
