WSL roundup: Chelsea get back into the groove at Spurs as Madonna watches on

London – Chelsea halted a two-game slide and reignited their flickering title defence with a composed 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where pop icon Madonna took in the action 24 hours after watching her daughters Estere and Stella feature for the club’s under-14 academy side.

England midfielder Keira Walsh broke the deadlock five minutes before the interval, latching on to a loose clearance from Erin Cuthbert’s corner and steering a low finish beyond Lize Kop. The Blues doubled the advantage early in the second half when Sjoeke Nüsken’s drive was parried into the path of American forward Alyssa Thompson, who tapped home her first WSL goal for the club.

Olivia Holdt struck the woodwork for the hosts during a bright opening spell, but Robert Vilahamn’s side could not convert pressure into goals and remain fifth, now winless in three league outings. The result leaves Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea nine points adrift of leaders Manchester City, who were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates earlier in the day.

Liverpool surged off the foot of the table with a vibrant 4-1 triumph over Aston Villa at Prenton Park. Mia Enderby tapped in Ceri Holland’s low centre after seven minutes, and Martha Thomas doubled the advantage eight minutes later. Miri Taylor briefly reduced the deficit, yet Grace Fisk’s crisp volley and Aurelie Csillag’s last-gasp breakaway goal sealed a first win in four for Gareth Taylor’s charges and deepened Villa’s woes – three consecutive defeats and counting.

At the Chigwell Construction Stadium, West Ham staged a stunning comeback to defeat Brighton 3-2. Goals from Kiko Seike and Manuela Vanegas had the Seagulls cruising, only for Ffion Morgan’s looping cross to creep in and spark a dramatic finale. Shekiera Martínez profited from a fortunate deflection four minutes later, and captain Viviane Asseyi prodded home in stoppage time to complete the turnaround. The Hammers climb above Leicester City, who lost 2-0 to Manchester United on Saturday and now prop up the standings.

Everton left it late to edge London City Lionesses 1-0 at the Princes Park. Inma Gabarro’s second-half strike proved enough, although goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan was the standout, producing a string of fine saves to preserve the clean sheet. “It wasn’t pretty but we are so happy to get the three points and a clean sheet,” Brosnan said after the final whistle.

Chelsea, Liverpool, West Ham and Everton all banked vital wins as the WSL table begins to take shape, while Tottenham, Villa and Leicester will look to regroup before the next round of fixtures.