Women's League Cup round-up: Arsenal lead group D after extra point against Spurs
- Published
Arsenal visit Tottenham in the Women's Super League north London derby on Saturday
Holders Arsenal gained an advantage in Women's League Cup Group C as they took an extra point by winning the penalty shootout after drawing with Tottenham.
Arsenal came from a goal behind on three occasions to level the match before winning the shootout 4-3.
Jessica Naz scored twice for Spurs and Martha Thomas netted another, but Stina Blackstenius, Frida Maanum and Laia Codina's goals cancelled them out.
The Gunners now sit one point ahead of their north London rivals in the table.
The five League Cup group winners progress automatically to the quarter-finals alongside the best two runners-up.
They will be joined by Chelsea, who enter the tournament in the knockout stages because of their participation in the Champions League.
In Group A, England forward Rachel Daly notched a hat-trick as Aston Villa cruised to a 5-1 success at home to Durham.
Daly netted three times after coming on as a 59th-minute substitute, with Villa already having a two-goal advantage after Rachel Corsie and Adriana Leon scored in the first half.
Amy Andrews scored Durham's consolation in the 87th minute but the second-tier side could not make any impression on Villa.
Sunderland maintain pressure
Villa take on North East opposition in the final round of games on 24 January when they play Sunderland and knockout-stage qualification will go down to the wire after Sunderland beat Blackburn 3-0 to keep up their pace.
Sunderland are now just two points behind Group A leaders Villa and a win on 24 January would qualify the second-tier side for the quarter-finals.
Reaching the knockout stages is impossible for Everton and Liverpool but the Reds still took home the Merseyside derby bragging rights.
Sophie Roman Haug gave them the lead after just five minutes before Yana Daniels doubled their advantage in the 56th minute. Toni Duggan pulled a late goal back for the Toffees in the ninth minute of injury time.
Everton goalkeeper Emily Ramsey was taken off after injuring herself while trying to prevent Liverpool's second goal.
Reading are unable to qualify from Group D but collected an extra point against bottom-placed Bristol City by winning the penalty shootout after their 1-1 draw.
Manchester United host Leicester City at 19:00 GMT on Thursday.