Everton's goal, which gave them a second-minute lead, came when Mary Earps punched a corner into her own net. Well, the United keeper was just inches away from gifting them another.

Earps scuffed a pass straight to Everton's Danielle Turner who chipped her immediately and was sure she'd made it 3-2.

But United defender Amy Turner had sprinted back onto the line to head the ball clear.

Very sedate start to this second half.

City prepared to be patient on the ball while Chelsea try and force space by driving forward from the back.

Needs a bit of a spark from someone you feel.

Encouraging start to the half for Everton with some quick, crisp passing, and Molly Pike looked as though she could be going clean through but for a heavy pass.

They tried to make the best of the attack but the momentum had gone and it fizzled out eventually to an offside.

It's very back to the front. Can't see it staying 3-1 for long.

Image source, PA Media

And we resume for the second half at Kingsmeadow...

Still a blustery afternoon, but so far no shots have blown their way past either Ellie Roebuck or Ann-Katrin Berger.

Will either of these title contenders be claiming a crucial three points come full-time?

Back under way for the second half in Leigh.

Everton need something special to get back into this one.

A reminder that there are four more WSL games to come this afternoon.

We'll have text updates of all matches and you'll be able to watch live coverage of the reigning champions Arsenal as they take on Reading at 14:30 GMT.

Image source, The FA

Well, some finish to that first half - from Chelsea especially - but still nothing to separate these two at Kingsmeadow as we head to the break.

Another fine save from Ellie Roebuck denies Beth England!

Better save than her first this time as she parries away a shot inside the box on the half-volley above her head.

Behind it goes for a corner which is squared back to Maren Mjelde who strikes the crossbar with an absolute rocket of a right-foot effort from distance!

Roebuck was well-beaten there but it bounces away to safety.

Three minutes being added on at the end of the first half as Lauren Hemp is the second City player to see yellow.

A late challenge on Ji So-Yun leaves the Korean hobbling a bit which may concern a few Chelsea fans.

Manchester United have been the better team, yes, but they lead by two goals because of Lauren James.

It was a poacher's finish at the near post for her first goal, quickly responding to Everton's opener when Mary Earps appeared to punch a corner into her own net, although Everton's Simone Magill claimed it.

Then James went on a mazy run to win a stonewall penalty which captain Katie Zelem stroked home.

Image source, Rex Features

And with seconds of the half remaining, the United striker lashed in from 20 yards after a neat bit of skill in the inside left channel.

A one woman show at Leigh Sports Village so far.

Steph Houghton, the War-horse that she is, gets back up on her feet after a few grimaces from that earlier knock and some magic spray by the City physio.

Her side need her too as Chelsea continue to look the more likely to score in the closing moments of this first half.

Ramona Bachmann drives low on target but again Ellie Roebuck gathers neatly with both hands.

Last minute of the first half now...

Bit of a "get to half-time" feel about it from both sides these last few minutes.

I think Lauren James and Martha Harris just took about a minute between them over a Man United throw-in.

Hopefully I trigger some "commentator's curse" style action.

Sorry to overdo the " " in this update.

Image source, Rex Features

Chelsea keep the pressure coming from two more corners following that Ellie Roebuck save.

Eventually City clear their lines but there's a bit of a knock to the shin for Steph Houghton in the process as she puts her body on the line for her side.

The hosts certainly pushing the stronger for the opener as we move towards the last five minutes of the first half.

Great save from Ellie Roebuck!

Beth England looked guaranteed to put Chelsea 1-0 up as she twisted and turned her way into a shooting position.

Low drive with her left from England just inside the area is brilliantly blocked by Roebuck's body and deflected behind for a corner.

Decent work by Demi Stokes down the City left gets the ball into Ellen White's feet in the Chelsea box.

It's a narrow angle though for White who can only strike it straight at Ann-Katrin Berger in the hosts' goal.

Meanwhile, City's Caroline Weir sees yellow for a bit of an over-eager challenge on Scotland team-mate Erin Cuthbert.

Postpublished at 12:35 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2019

12:35 GMT 8 December 2019

Man Utd 2-1 Everton

Hayley Ladd becomes the first player to go into the referee's notebook after absolutely crunching through Everton's Lucy Graham.

The United midfielder has no complaints for her yellow card and she can't have really.

This game's been played at breakneck speed but that's the first bad challenge we've seen.

More promise coming forward for City and Caroline Weir's foray to the edge of the Chelsea box sees her square it to Jill Scott.

She tries to side-foot in with her right, but can't hit the target as it tamely goes wide.

At the other end, Beth England also can't get enough power behind her effort which ends up in an easy claim for Ellie Roebuck.

Approaching half an hour gone.

Image source, Getty Images

Very nearly 3-1.

Lauren James is head and shoulders above the rest of the players on show this afternoon. The United striker already has a goal and an assist, and goes on another twist-and-turn run through the centre of the pitch.

She gets her shot away 12 yards out, but Tinja-Riikka Korpela is equal to it and tips the effort over the bar.

City chancing their arm a touch playing the ball out from the back.

Ellie Roebuck has to show that goalkeepers in this league need to be more than just useful shot-stoppers as she is forced to deal with some tricky back-passes under pressure in her own box.

Manages to get it clear though under pressure from the likes of Beth England with Chelsea continuing to press their opponents high.