Newcastle Utd Women secured a local derby success over Sunderland Women, watched by 18.972 at St James’ Park.
Barclays WSL 2
Southampton 1-1 Durham
Sheffield United 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Birmingham City 5-2 Portsmouth
Charlton Athletic 2-0 Bristol City
Ipswich Town 1-2 Crystal Palace
Newcastle United 3-1 Sunderland
Newcastle United defeated Sunderland in front of nearly 19,000 fans at St James’ Park, to go fourth in the table. After a goalless hour, three goals came in a five-minute burst. Deanna Cooper headed United ahead from Jordan Nobbs’ corner, and Emily Murphy doubled the lead from another set piece before Keira Barry pulled one back for the visitors following yet another corner. Murphy’s second from outside the box made it 3-1.
Charlton Athletic beat third-placed Bristol City to stay four points clear at the top. Katie Bradley made the breakthrough for the Addicks five minutes after the interval, converting a penalty awarded for Marine Dafeur’s foul on Karin Muya. Five minutes later it was 2-0, with Gracie Pearse scoring after Charlotte Newsham headed on a corner.
Birmingham City ran out 5-2 winners over Portsmouth after being pegged back twice. Christie Harrison-Murray scored for City in the first minute, Meg Hornby quickly replied from a Jasmine Bull cross. Lucy Quinn restored the advantage, only for Jessie Gale to squeeze in a second equaliser. Two goals in quick succession sealed it for the hosts, with Lily Crosthwaite’s strike complemented by Chelsea Cornet’s effort from outside the area. Cornet later turned provider for Tegan McGowan.
Southampton picked up their first point in three games after equalising against Durham. Beth Hepple scored 10 minutes in to give the visitors the lead, Atlanta Primus replied early in the second half following a cross from Amy Goddard.
Crystal Palace climbed three spots to eighth after coming from behind to win at basement side Ipswich Town. Sophie Peskett opened the scoring for Ipswich, Palace struck back on the hour mark through Ashleigh Weerden, following a pass from Kirsty Howat. Abbie Larkin completed the turnaround for Palace with seven minutes of the 90 left.
Nottingham Forest had the better of the match at Bramall Lane but had to settle for a point against Sheffield United in a goalless draw.