Manchester United remain atop the Subway Players Cup table after their convincing win over Liverpool, but Aston Villa and London City Lionesses are not going away.
Eva Olid's United claimed their third win in as many cup ties, to remain one of three teams - alongside Villa and LCL - tied atop the league phase table after Matchround 4.
United were one of six Barclays Women’s Super League sides to win on an evening in which seven games were played, and 27 goals were scored.
It also proved to be a good evening for one Barclays Women's Super League 2 side as Southampton claimed a historic victory.
Liverpool 3-5 Manchester United
Manchester United are the early standouts in the Subway Players Cup, and proved their class by extending their perfect start with a largely convincing win over WSL rivals, Liverpool.
Though the hosts made an encouraging start, Olid’s United showed why they had scored 15 goals across their first two fixtures by storming to a 3-0 lead at the break.
German international Lea Schuller got them going with a near-post finish after 11 minutes before Welsh standout talent Mared Griffiths scored a four-minute brace just before the break.
With two goals in the first half, Griffiths pulled clear as the Subway Players Cup top goalscorer, adding to the four goals - including a hat-trick - she scored previously.
Liverpool improved after the break, but Monica Jusu Bah capitalised on a loose pass from Khiara Keating before scooping into the top corner at the end of a driving run to extend United’s lead.
Substitute Cornelia Kapocs completed a late 12-minute hat-trick for Gareth Taylor’s side, interrupted only by United’s fifth from Maya Le Tissier, giving Liverpool fans something to cheer about.
England international Le Tissier’s strike took United to 20 goals in their first three cup fixtures, all while rubberstamping Liverpool’s first competition defeat of the season.
Southampton 3-2 Crystal Palace
While Manchester United’s high-scoring win caught the eye, BWSL2 side Southampton arguably claimed the result of the evening, coming from behind twice to beat top-tier Crystal Palace.
Palace had put themselves in a good position when a second Annabel Blanchard goal inside 19 minutes restored their lead, after Freya Jupp cancelled out her first.
But Saints hit back through last season's Player of the Season Ellie Brazil and took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Megan Collett charged forward from full-back to slam the hosts into the lead.
Collett, a childhood Saints supporter, secured what is Southampton’s first triumph over BWSL opposition in this competition, and moved them within touching distance of the top eight places.
West Ham United 1-2 London City Lionesses
London City Lionesses kept pace with goal-difference leaders Manchester United by beating West Ham United in the evening’s other all-BWSL tie.
Summer signing Nicole Anyomi scored on her first LCL start, pressing high to pinch the ball and slot it past the onrushing Hammers goalkeeper, Constance Picaud.
West Ham felt aggrieved by the German forward's opener and were pleased to draw level through Viviane Asseyi, who rocketed a volley into the top corner.
However, Isobel Goodwin restored LCL's lead before the break. The goal had been coming, and the 23-year-old lofted a delightful finish past Picaud in added time.
The win keeps London City level with United on nine points, and avenges their BWSL defeat to West Ham, which remains their loss of the season.
Burnley 0-2 Aston Villa
Aston Villa are the other side with a perfect record so far, and they claimed their third win in as many games by beating BWSL2 side Burnley at Turf Moor.
Interim boss Brian Sørensen remains undefeated, and Villa have added to wins over Newcastle and Liverpool - and a draw with Palace - since he took charge.
England youth international Georgia Mullett got the Villans off to a perfect start in Lancashire when she tapped in Lily Murphy's cross from close range.
Burnley had moments, mainly from long-range, before Murphy, on loan from Manchester City, doubled their lead 10 minutes after the restart.
This was Burnley's first defeat of the competition after they beat Durham in their maiden Subway Players Cup fixture last weekend.
Everton 2-0 Newcastle United
Though they may not be joint-level at the top with Manchester United, Aston Villa and London City Lionesses, Everton are yet to taste defeat in the Subway Players Cup.
The Toffees earned their second cup win of the season with both goals coming in the closing stages courtesy of their Spanish starlet Ornella Vignola.
Everton did have chances to take the lead before Vignola's brace, with Anna Tamminen and Kayla Rendell producing saves for the Magpies as Newcastle changed goalkeepers at the break.
Scott Phelan's Everton have now won five home games on the bounce, while Newcastle are still searching for their first win in this competition.
Durham 0-5 Birmingham City
BWSL side Birmingham City earned their first win of the 2026/27 campaign with a five-star performance against Durham.
Quickfire goals from Veatriki Sarri and Wilma Leidhammar midway through the first half gave Amy Merrick’s side the perfect platform to claim a convincing win.
Durham, who remain winless across all competitions this season, had no answer for the Blues in the second half as they added three more goals.
Chelsea Cornet and Lily Crosthwaite got in on the action before Greek international Sarri scored her second in the closing stages to cap off an excellent performance.
Charlton Athletic 2-0 Bristol City
Charlton Athletic are also up and running for the season after earning their first Subway Players Cup win of the campaign against second-tier Bristol City.
Like Everton, they left it late, scoring twice in the final 15 minutes to end an eight-game losing streak across all competitions.
Emily van Egmond headed the Addicks ahead before Lizzie Waldie added a second only three minutes later.
The quickfire double followed a red card for Bristol City's Neeve McDonald and Ellie Mason's saved penalty attempt.
Karen Hills will be pleased after her side won inside 90 minutes for the first time since March 15. Bristol City have two points from two games.
