- Lauren James’ hat-trick and assist ensured Chelsea remained on top of the table
- Liverpool only managed to force an early lapse from Jess Carter into her own net
- Chelsea continue unbeaten start to the league in boss Emma Hayes’ final season
Chelsea have shown no signs of slowing down in the WSL so far, registering their sixth win of the season with a thumping 5-1 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
In the weeks that follow Emma Hayes’ announcement that she will be leaving the Blues’ at the end of the season, her side have continued to silence their opponents, sending them six points clear at the top of the WSL table.
Having kicked off the 2023-24 WSL campaign unbeaten, Chelsea recently netted six past Carla Ward’s struggling Aston Villa side, followed by 3-0 at Walton Hall Park against Everton.
Their seventh match of the season saw Lauren James secure a hat-trick, as well as goals from Aggie Beever-Jones and Sjoeke Nusken to take all three points off the Reds.
It was Lauren James who opened the scoring just over ten minutes into play, though celebrations were short-lived when Jess Carter fumbled an own goal to level the scores.
Sam Kerr did not make the scoresheet but celebrated wildly with her team-mates
James fired the hosts in front with a stunning strike into the back of the net
Lauren James looked unstoppable as she scored a hat-trick and an assist at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea are now six points clear at the top of the WSL table, with Arsenal in second place
With the scores level at 1-1, it didn’t take the hosts long to fire themselves back in front, with a pin-point pass to the back post which met with Aggie Beever-Jones’ header. The 20-year-old registered her fourth goal in the past four league matches, after enjoying two loan spells at Bristol City and Everton in the past two seasons.
After the break, the hosts were fired-up once more with two more strikes from James to lead her to a Player of the Match award.
To finish off a stunning performance, Sjoeke Nusken secured a fifth and final goal to top off an impressive display from Chelsea.
Hayes rang in a number of changes for the home side, with Zecira Musovic in goal, and Sophie Ingle, Maren Mjelde, Eve Perisset alongisde goalscorers James and Beever-Jones amongst the new names on the team sheet in West London.
Captain Sophie Ingle also marked her 184th appearance in the WSL – a record-breaking feat for the league.
It was Emma Hayes’ first domestic match since the announcement of departure from Chelsea
Liverpool looked understandably disappointed with the 5-1 loss away from home
Despite a frustrating Wednesday evening in which they drew 2-2 with Real Madrid in the Champions League, Emma Hayes’ side made up for lost time with five goals at the Bridge against a disappointing Liverpool.
Matt Beard’s side have enjoyed a strong start to the league, with three wins – including an opening day 1-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates – accompanied by a record-breaking crowd.
Chelsea will face Paris FC during the week as they continue their Champions League campaign, before visiting hosting Leicester in the domestic league.
