Republic of Ireland midfielder Denise O'Sullivan was a second-half substitute for Liverpool as the Merseyside bragging rights went the way of the Reds with a 3-2 win over Everton in Women’s Super League.
Fellow Irish international and Toffees shotstopper Courtney Brosnan could do little to prevent 10-woman Liverpool take all three points, with Ceri Holland’s brace helping the Reds move further away from the foot of the table.
Holland’s first-half double and an own-goal by Martina Fernandez put Liverpool in control and, although the visitors had Grace Fisk sent off either side of Everton goals for Aurora Galli and Zara Kramzar, Taylor’s side held on.
O'Sullivan replaced Kirsty MacLean in the Liverpool engine room in the 79th minute.
Liverpool remain in 10th place on 17 points, but have put further daylight from the sides underneath them in the table, West Ham United (12 points) and Leicester City on nine points.
Vivianne Miedema scored twice as Manchester City took another step towards the title with a dominant 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Netherlands striker bagged a three-minute brace inside the opening 20 minutes before Kerstin Casparij swept in a third early in the second half.
City, with three league games remaining, moved 11 points clear of second-placed United, who had been unbeaten in nine WSL games since last losing to their local rivals in November.
Alessia Russo's first Arsenal hat-trick propelled the Gunners to a 5-2 north London derby victory over Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium to move up to second place in the WSL.
The England striker opened the scoring with a fifth-minute header, assisted by Ireland's Katie McCabe, and completed her hat-trick less than 22 minutes later after a mistake by Tottenham keeper Lize Kop gifted Arsenal a goal.
Russo’s third had restored the Gunners’ two-goal advantage following a Frida Maanum own goal, and Caitlin Foord added a fourth after the break.
Tottenham substitute Bethany England – marking her 200th WSL appearance – reduced the deficit before Arsenal substitute Stina Blackstenius added their fifth in second-half stoppage time.
Victory moved Arsenal on to 38 points, drawing them level with third-placed Manchester United but with the advantage on goal difference.
