By Tony Leighton

Burke was one of the Leeds goalscorers in their match

Kerry Bartlett scored twice as Bristol Academy beat Cardiff City 3-0 to draw level with Arsenal at the top of the Women's Premier League.

The Gunners, whose midweek game against Charlton Athletic was postponed, have two games in hand.

But Bristol's fifth straight League win has taken them to their highest-ever placing in the table.

They took over second spot from Leeds 24 hours after United had trounced Sunderland 5-2.

Bristol Academy 3-0 Cardiff City

After Bartlett and Stef Curtis had put Bristol in control Justine Lorton wasted the chance to increase the lead when she missed a first half penalty.

Bartlett's 10th goal of the season midway just after the hour settled the result.

Birmingham City 1-2 Doncaster Rovers Belles

Donny leapfrogged Blues into sixth place with a hard fought victory.

The visitors took a two goal lead through Carla Cantrell and Vicky Exley, who later missed a penalty.

But after Heather Scheuber reduced the arrears in the 36th minute Blues took control.

Farrow was dismissed 19 minutes from time after hauling down Dani Bird two yards outside the penalty area.

But despite pushing forward in numbers the home side were unable to force an equaliser.

Leeds United 5-2 Sunderland

Leeds comfortably maintained their record as the League's only unbeaten club apart from Arsenal, whose scheduled midweek game against Charlton Athletic was postponed.

The home side were in control from the time Ward put them ahead after only six minutes.

Karen Burke and Rachel McArthur added further goals before Ward hit her fourth in four games just after the half-hour.

Steph Houghton reduced the arrears in the 42nd minute, but any thoughts of a fight back were extinguished when Sue Smith scored Leeds' fifth goal 10 minutes after the break.

Lucy Dewar hit a late consolation effort for the Black Cats.

What was a fifth successive League victory put Leeds just two points behind Arsenal at the top of the table.

Sunderland remain second from bottom and deep in relegation trouble.

Blackburn Rovers 2-3 Everton

Midfielder Emily Westwood gave Everton a fifth minute lead which, despite being well on top, the visitors were unable to extend before half-time.

Michelle Evans doubled the lead in the 71st minute, but Blackburn hit back strongly to draw level through goals in quick succession by Sarah McCrea and Katie Anderton.

A draw looked inevitable as play went into stoppage time, but 16 year-old McCoy popped up to hit the winner with her first senior goal for Everton.

Chelsea 2-1 Fulham

Bottom-of-the-table Fulham took the lead through Dani Farmer, but in-form Chelsea levelled the scores with a Jodian Clarke goal just before half-time.