Aston Villa's impressive away record in the WSL posed no problems for Man Utd who eased to a 5-0 win at Old Trafford.
Man Utd already knew that winning by two goals or more would see them top the table for a few hours before leaders Chelsea kicked off.
And they went some way towards that by scoring two goals without reply before the break. Villa had already rode their luck when a Leah Galton cross was scrambled desperately away.
But Utd were not to be denied and the same scenario on 13 mins resulted in Katie Zelem bundling home from two yards after keeper Hannah Hampton had fumbled the ball.
The home side were dominant without creating many clear cut opportunities until the 28th min when Galton doubled their advantage after a defence splitting pass from Alessia Russo.
How Villa must have been regretting an early chance on the break but with Rachel Daly, the WSL's joint top scorer, unmarked in the penalty area, Alisha Lehmann over hit the pass and the moment had gone.
Lehmann did have the ball in the net just before half-time but was ruled offside and Freya Gregory brought a smart save out of Mary Earps as Villa looked to continue their three game winning run.
The hosts immediately after the restart should have added a third as Ella Toone and Alessia Russo combined. But the same duo were not to be denied on 51 mins as Toone's low cross was met at the far post by Russo who easily converted.
Villa were being restricted to long range efforts although one by Lehmann was parried away by Earps. Half chances came as Utd became sloppy in possession but the visitor's lacked a clinical finish.
Galton should have made it four but skewed her shot well off target. When the goal did arrive after 76 min it was quite spectacular.
Ona Batlle from an angle inside the penalty area hit a powerful shot which hit the underside of the bar, bounced down against the post before finally crossing the line.
A fifth looked to have arrived but the referee had already blown for a foul rather than play advantage much to Galton's frustration.
Substitute Rachel Williams completed Villa's miserable afternoon by scoring in added time.
With this result Utd have now lost just once domestically this season and the attendance was the largest ever for one of their home games.
Full Time
Man Utd: 5 (Zelem 13, Galton 28, Russo 5, Battle 76, Williams, 92)
Aston Villa: 0
Venue: Old Trafford
Att: 30,196
