By Tony Leighton

England stars Katie Chapman and Lianne Sanderson both struck twice as Arsenal thrashed Cardiff 6-1 to go five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Gunners maintained their 100 per cent record to ease past City in the weekend's only top-flight game.

County Cup ties wiped out the rest of the fixtures but promotion-chasing Liverpool and Newcastle United were in action in the Northern Division.

Liverpool beat Crewe 4-0 but Newcastle lost 3-2 at Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool's thumping away victory saw them move to within seven points of leaders Lincoln City, with two games in hand.

Newcastle still have three games in hand but their promotion hopes suffered a major setback with their defeat at Nottingham Forest.

In the FA Cup, meanwhile, a waterlogged pitch meant that Bristol Academy's ill-fated clash with local rivals Bristol City was postponed for the fourth time.

Cardiff City 1-6 Arsenal

Wales midfielder Jayne Ludlow set the Gunners on the way to their 10th successive victory with a 15th-minute penalty.

Sanderson added a second goal five minutes later but on the half-hour the Bluebirds hit back through Gwennan Harries.

But goals either side of half-time by Chapman and Sanderson put the result beyond doubt.

Five minutes after Sanderson's 15th goal of the season, midfielder Chapman took her own tally into double figures.

And five minutes from time England winger Rachel Yankey also put her name on the scoresheet for the 10th time during the current campaign.

Crewe 0-4 Liverpool

Striker Chantelle Parry bagged a hat-trick as Liverpool stepped up their title challenge with a late goal surge.

Parry opened the scoring just after the half-hour but it was not until the last 15 minutes that Kelly Davies and Parry wrapped up victory.

Nottingham Forest 3-2 Newcastle

Beth Bailey struck a last-minute winner after the battling visitors had twice levelled the scores.