Lisa Naalsund scored twice as Manchester United climbed, at least temporarily, into second in the Women's Super League with a 3-1 victory over Liverpool.

Marc Skinner's team overtook Chelsea in the table ahead of the Blues' meeting with Manchester City later on Sunday, with the Red Devils moving within eight points of top spot.

United were frustrated in the first half, with Elisabeth Terland missing their best chance as they failed to truly test Jennifer Falk before the interval.

But the game burst into life in the second half, with Naalsund lashing home from Jessica Park's cutback in the 52nd minute – and two more goals would follow by the hour mark.

Alice Bergstrom equalised for bottom club Liverpool following a goalmouth scramble, but Naalsund swiftly restored United's advantage with a pinpoint finish into the bottom-left corner.

Fridolina Rolfo then made certain of the points with a close-range finish in the 87th minute, with United now sitting two points clear of fourth-placed Arsenal and fifth-placed Tottenham, though the Gunners were not in action this weekend, meaning they have a game in hand.

FOUR WINS ON THE SPIN  pic.twitter.com/tMLYLFio32

— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) February 1, 2026

Spurs kept pace in the battle for European qualification by fighting back to beat West Ham 2-1 in a London derby, with Olivia Holdt scoring the winner.

Holdt lobbed Megan Walsh in the 78th minute to put Spurs ahead after Matilda Vinberg had cancelled out Shekiera Martinez's early opener, with the visitors holding on after Drew Spence was sent off for a stoppage-time foul on Riko Ueki.

The London City Lionesses were also 2-1 victors over Brighton, who they leapfrogged into sixth place, while Everton beat Aston Villa by the same scoreline at Goodison Park.

Martina Fernandez scored twice – including an 89th-minute header – to lift Everton into ninth place, four points clear of Liverpool at the bottom of the table.

Data Debrief: United boosted by substitutes again

United fired off 19 shots against Liverpool, who attempted eight, though the Red Devils only narrowly edged the expected goals (xG) battle by 2.03 to 1.56.

Indeed, that game was in the balance until Rolfo came off the bench to settle matters, and five of United's last nine goals in the WSL have now been scored by substitutes. 

Their eight goals from substitutes this season, meanwhile, are the most of any team in the competition.