NIKITA PARRIS scored twice as Manchester City retained their two-point lead at the top of Women’s Super League One with a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Sunderland.

The England forward poked home the opener nine minutes before the break, before turning provider for the second with a cross which was headed home by teammate Izzy Christiansen 12 minutes after the restart.

And Parris sealed a comfortable victory with 18 minutes remaining as she raced through on goal and drilled home via a post.

Champions Chelsea briefly leapfrogged City before dropping back into second place after they beat struggling Everton 1-0 in today’s early kick-off.

Sweden defender Jonna Andersson settled the contest at Kingsmeadow, firing into the top corner at the near post following a pass from Fran Kirby five minutes from time.

Visitors Everton squandered the opportunity for a first-half lead when Courtney Sweetman-Kirk struck a post from the penalty spot after she was fouled in the area by Anita Asante.

Elsewhere, Birmingham ran out 3-0 winners at home to bottom club Yeovil.

Aoife Mannion opened the scoring from the spot in the 13th minute following a handball before Meaghan Sargeant’s header doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time and England striker Ellen White completed the scoring a minute after the restart.

Reading and Arsenal shared a goalless draw.