Three stars who shone in the FA WSL and FA WC this weekend

With Manchester City out of action, Arsenal had the chance to catch up on games and move to within one win of lifting the FA Women’s Super League trophy – an opportunity they took.

A 2-1 win over Everton at a sun-drenched Meadow Park saw the Gunners climb four points clear at the top of the table with two games to go, meaning victory against Brighton next weekend would seal it.

Meanwhile Birmingham City made up ground on third-placed Chelsea, who were off on their European adventure, and Manchester United were crowned FA Women’s Championship title winners in their first full season with an emphatic 7-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Vivianne Miedema was on the scoresheet for the 30th time in all competitions this season but there were some rather more interesting goalscoring feats to marvel at across the two divisions – including a pastry-incentivised last-minute equaliser.

Here’s the top three performers of the weekend.

Rinsola Babajide – Liverpool

England Under-20 international Rinsola Babajide bagged a hat-trick as Liverpool beat Bristol City 5-2 at Prenton Park.

It was her first hat-trick for the club and to make it even more memorable for the young forward, her dad was there to watch her to do it on his birthday.

Babajide scored twice in the first half to give her side the lead on both occasions after Danique Kerkdijk’s long-range effort had pulled the Vixens level and Yana Daniels extended Liverpool’s lead just before half-time.

And just after the hour mark she wrapped up her treble after bursting clear of the Vixens defence and calmly slotting the ball in the bottom corner before joining her teammates in celebration.

A lovely birthday present for her father, although try topping that next year!

Lauren James – Manchester United

When a player scores four goals in a title-clinching 7-0 win they make themselves pretty difficult to ignore but that is what Lauren James has been doing all season.

The 17-year-old seems to be getting better and better this season and there is no doubt that the forward will be capable of mixing it with Women’s Super League players next year.

James opened and closed the scoring as United put seven past Crystal Palace without reply – getting the demolition job underway inside ten minutes.

She then took a backseat and allowed her teammates to take centre stage as Lizzie Arnot, Leah Galton and Jess Sigsworth all got in on the act – but she wasn’t done there.

With the game entering the final ten minutes James reprised her role as the main protagonist and scored a seven-minute hat-trick to take her personally tally up to four with some no nonsense finishing.

Katie Rood – Lewes FC

Here’s one to warm your socks and ignite your appetite at the same time.

New Zealand international Katie Rood rescued a point for Fran Alonso’s side as they drew 2-2 with Aston Villa – all for the love of a Greggs vegan sausage roll.

Lewes had fallen two behind as Asmita Ale and Jodie Hutton turned home in the first half but the away side had brought a secret weapon with them.

After Rood had halved the deficit she was encouraged on Twitter to grab herself a second and a post-match snack to which she duly obliged and in the final minute of the game, steered Rosie Paye’s cutback home to earn a point.

She must have been starving.

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