Blackburn Rovers had four players sent off in a sensational Women's Premier League Cup tie against Portsmouth, who won on penalties following a 4-4 draw.

Katie Anderton hit a hat-trick before seeing red along with Natalie Brewer, Natalie Preston and Jenna Carroll.

Events at Blackburn overshadowed the second round's match of the day, in which Arsenal beat Everton 3-1.

Chelsea needed extra time to see off Leeds 3-2, while Watford won 3-2 at Lincoln and Preston beat Brighton 1-0.

Blackburn Rovers 4-4 Portsmouth (AET - Portsmouth won 4-3 on penalties)

The red card drama followed a first half in which Anderton's double strike gave the home side a two-goal advantage.

Gemma Ritchie and Lisa Langrish both scored to bring Pompey level, but Anderton completed her hat-trick 20 minutes from time.

Brewer and Anderton then both received their marching orders before Ritchie's second goal of the afternoon forced the tie into extra time.

Preston shot Rovers back in front before she too was sent off, quickly followed by Carroll seeing red.

Though they were down to seven players Rovers held out until the last minute of extra time, when Ritchie hit her hat-trick goal to set up the penalty shoot-out.

Ironically Ritchie then missed from the spot, but with goalkeeper Roxy Roberts saving two Blackburn penalties the Southern Division side went through to the quarter-finals.

Portsmouth manager Vanessa Raynbird sympathised with the Rovers players and said: "Most of the sendings-off were for very innocuous offences."

Arsenal 3-1 Everton

A 38th minute Karen Carney penalty, followed by goals either side of half-time by Kim Little, assured the Gunners of victory.

Fara Williams pulled a goal back 12 minutes from time but it was too little, too late for the Toffees.

Chelsea 3-2 Leeds Carnegie (AET)

An extra time winner by Eniola Aluko took Chelsea into the quarter-finals after Leeds had twice come from behind.

Sophie Bradley's own goal gave Chelsea the lead before Carla Cantrell equalised for Leeds. Two minutes later Brooke Chaplen added Chelsea's second and Leeds had to wait until the last quarter for Sue Smith to again draw Leeds level.

But Leeds could not find a third equaliser following Aluko's 94th minute strike.

OOH Lincoln 2-3 Watford

A late winner by Jodian Clarke denied Lincoln an extra time opportunity after the Northern Division side had cancelled out a two-goal deficit.

Charlie Nicholson and Ashlee Hincks gave the visitors a half-time lead, but Lincoln hit back hard and brought themselves level through Leandra Little and Carla Ward.

The home team pushed forward for a winner, but it was Clarke who grabbed the decisive goal two minutes from time.

Preston North End 1-0 Brighton

Louise Cafferkey headed home a Laura Walker cross to take Northern Division Preston through at the expense of Southern Division opponents.

The home side were in control for the vast majority of the match, but the nearest they came to increasing their lead was when Anisha Bateman hit the post.

Fulham's meeting with Bristol Academy, Doncaster Belles' visit to Nottingham Forest and Millwall's tie against Leicester City were all postponed.