By james art 
Newcastle United made a statement away to leaders Birmingham City and took all three points with a 2-0 win in the Barclays Women’s Championship.
The promoted side are now in fourth place, just two points off the Blues at the top of the table.
London City’s Lionesses move level with Birmingham on 16 points thanks to their 1-0 win over Sheffield United, while Durham are third thanks to their 3-2 win over Blackburn.
Sunderland won the match of the day 4-3 against Bristol City, while Southampton picked up three invaluable points with a 1-0 win against Charlton.
Lionesses go on top thanks to Brougham’s late show
Georgia Brougham’s late strike earned London City Lionesses all three points away to Sheffield United as they continued to pile pressure at the top – second only to Birmingham on goal difference.
The visitors enjoyed the better of the opener with Chantel Boye-Chlorka hitting the post with a header and Izzy Goodwin going close just before.
After a scoreless first half, Goodwin was next to hit the frame with a powerful strike before Kosovare Aslani and Boye-Hlorka combined to force a fine save from Cian Rodgers.
Sheffield United pressed for a goal at the other end, with Ella Kinzet seeing an opportunity go astray with 12 minutes remaining.
But London City had the final say, Brougham bursting in at the front post to head Aslani’s cross into the far corner for the winner.
Next up at Hayes Lane — London City Lionesses v Birmingham City.
Sunday, November 10 (2:00 p.m.).
Be there 😉
— London City Lionesses (@LC_Lionesses) November 2, 2024
Dale and Kitching double as Sunderland win in thriller
Two goals each from Eleanor Dale and Katie Kitching were the difference as Sunderland won a classic encounter against Bristol City 4-3.
The two combined to score three goals in just four minutes shortly after the break to turn the game on its head.
Dale gave Sunderland a dream start, finishing after being released by Natasha Fenton after just a minute.
But Bristol City hit back as Marie Ward equalized in the 10th minute after tapping home the rebound after Fionn Morgan had been denied.
There was no denying Morgan just before the half-hour mark when he raced onto Lexi Lloyd-Smith’s pass over the top before lifting the ball home.
Trailing at the break, Sunderland flew out of the blocks and Dale grabbed her second as she ricocheted back to level.
Then, from the restart, Kitching took control on the edge of the box to shoot to make it 3-2.
WHAT’S GOING ON! 😱
HOLLOW AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/kjMokMC66s
— Sunderland AFC Women (@SAFCWomen) November 3, 2024
The lead was doubled two minutes later, Kitching netting her second after Dale produced Emily Scarr’s cross.
City looked stunned by the turnaround but rallied and got back into the game 20 minutes from time when Lloyd-Smith finished with a brilliant team goal, with Morgan providing the final pass.
The game was set up tantalizingly with 20 minutes to go, but there were no more goals as Sunderland managed to claim all three points.
Durham triumphed in a five-goal thriller
Durham’s brilliant second-half performance kept them top with a 3-2 win against Blackburn Rovers.
BIG WIN ON THE ROAD! 🙌#BLAvDUR // [2-3] pic.twitter.com/QzcyLaVNxj
— Durham Women FC (@DurhamWFC) November 3, 2024
Trailing to Farah Crompton’s goal, Durham scored three times after the break to take control and ensure Georgia Walters’ late strike was only a consolation.
Beth Hepple had seen an early shot well saved by Poppy Soper and Rovers took the lead on 22 minutes thanks to Crompton’s pinpoint finish.
It was almost two when Crompton hit the post just before half-time and Durham took full advantage of that missed opportunity after the break.
They needed just seven minutes to find an equaliser, Hepple inevitably securing it with a brilliant free-kick into the top corner.
She turned provider, poking the ball in for Lauren Briggs, who caught everyone napping by shooting rather than crossing, putting Durham ahead for the first time.
A thunderous strike from Michaela Foster then made it 3-1 as she fired into the top corner from 25 yards.
Blackburn pulled one back in stoppage time through Walters but it was too little too late.
Bourne in place for Saints
Tara Bourne scored 10 minutes from time to earn Southampton all three points away to Charlton, who missed the chance to go top.
Instead, Saints are within three points of Birmingham at the top, with the top six incredibly tight after seven games.
Charlton could have gone in front late in the first half and Fran Stenson produced a brilliant save to push Charlotte Newsham’s shot onto the post.
Amy Palmer then forced a good save from Sophie Whitehouse to give Charlton a warning. In the 80th minute Saints made no mistake as Freya Gregory’s cross was not cleared and Bourne was quickest to the loose ball.
PASSI⚽️N 💯 pic.twitter.com/9cROmHV3dW
— Southampton FC Women (@SaintsFCWomen) November 3, 2024
It proved to be the only goal to bring Southampton back within a point of their hosts, who played a game more.
Newcastle impressed with an away win at Birmingham
Newcastle United made a statement with a 2-0 win away to Birmingham City, handing the league leaders their second defeat of the season.
Shanaya Hales opened the scoring after just 11 minutes, sweeping home Beth Lumsden’s cross for the first goal.
Claudia Moan did well to deny Ivana Fuso as Birmingham pushed for an equaliser, with the Brazilian posing the hosts’ biggest threat.
Charlotte Potts then cleared the ball off the line after she took a corner towards goal.
In the second period, Fuso hit the frame with a deflected cross before forcing a good save from Moan.
SIBLEY DOUBLE THE LEAD!!!!!!
[0-2] 70′ pic.twitter.com/WriMrqLEmM
— Newcastle United Women (@NUFCWomen) November 3, 2024
However, with 20 minutes to go, Isabella Sibley gave the visitors some breathing room, firing home the rebound after Lucy Thomas had pushed Lumsden’s opener onto the post.
This effectively ended the game as Newcastle managed to claim all three points.