Manchester City held off a spirited fightback from Brighton at the Joie Stadium to close out a 3-2 win and maintain their perfect start to the new Women's Super League campaign.
Andrée Jeglertz's side, who were temporarily knocked off top spot after Chelsea beat Tottenham 6-2 earlier on Sunday, raced into a 3-0 lead after an early double from Khadjia Shaw and a first goal for summer signing Niamh Charles.
Brighton, though, rallied ahead of the break after goals from Olivia Garcia and Caitlin Hayes before City dug in to make it six straight WSL wins.
City went in front after just five minutes when Shaw turned a left-wing cross from Lauren Hemp past Brighton keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
England forward Hemp produced another assist in the 16th minute when her floating ball into the Brighton box was met with a bullet header from Shaw.
It looked game over two minutes later when Charles arrived at the edge of the box to fire home a cross from Grace Clinton for her first goal since a summer move from Chelsea.
Brighton, though, got themselves back into contention before the break.
Garcia bundled in a low ball across the six-yard box from Fran Kirby at the back post in the 31st minute and Hayes then headed in from a corner shortly before half-time.
City looked to regroup again following the restart but struggled to break down Brighton's determined defensive block.
Shaw was close to a hat trick when her low, angled shot drifted just past the far post and Hemp fired a 20-yard effort wide, but City had done enough to move two points clear at the top.