Lauren James brilliance sinks Liverpool as five-star Chelsea take control of WSL

Chelsea 5-1 Liverpool: Lionesses star James hit a hat-trick as Emma Hayes’s Blues maintained their unbeaten league record

Lauren James’s hat-trick helped Chelsea cruise to victory (Action Images via Reuters)

England striker Lauren James scored a superb hat-trick and added an assist as Chelsea beat Liverpool 5-1 to maintain their unbeaten record and move six points clear atop the Women’s Super League.

James, who was not in the starting line-up for Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Real Madrid, made her presence known early at Stamford Bridge with a goal in the 11th minute.

Her second was a rocket from the left side of the 18-yard box into the far corner, and she completed the hat-trick with a close-range finish in the 64th minute.

Aggie Beever-Jones and Sjoeke Nusken also scored for Chelsea, who lead Arsenal by six points after six wins from seven matches, while a Jess Carter own goal was the only joy for the Reds on the day.

Liverpool are fifth in the WSL table on 11 points after seven games.

The game at Stamford Bridge was Chelsea’s first at home since the announcement Emma Hayes was taking over as manager of the United States women’s team. She will leave four-times reigning WSL champions Chelsea at the end of this season.

Reuters