Chelsea, Arsenal notch big wins as WSL returns

Leaders Chelsea hammered West Ham United 5-0 in the Women's Super League while Arsenal thrashed Crystal Palace by the same scoreline to go second in the table on Sunday as the league resumed after the Christmas break.

Chelsea top the standings on 31 points from their 11 games, seven ahead of Arsenal and nine ahead of third-placed Manchester City, who face Manchester United later on Sunday.

Reigning champions Chelsea took an early lead through Catarina Macario, with Erin Cuthbert and Aggie Beever-Jones also scoring in the first half to send them in 3-0 up at the break.

Sandy Baltimore netted seven minutes into the second half and a late Amber Tysiak own goal completed the rout as Chelsea remained unbeaten, with 10 wins from their 11 league games this season.

Across London, Arsenal's Leah Williamson gave her side an early breakthrough before a four-goal barrage after the break saw the Gunners beat Palace to move above Manchester City and into second place.

Liverpool got the second half of the season under way on Friday with a 2-1 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion, while Merseyside rivals Everton were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.