James bags a hat-trick as Chelsea inflict heavy defeat on Liverpool | OneFootball

Lauren James netted a hat-trick as Chelsea inflicted a heavy 5-1 defeat on Liverpool at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

The Blues were dominant throughout as they eased to victory against a Liverpool side that have so often been rock solid defensively this season.

Chelsea started the match brightly and visiting keeper Rachael Laws was required to push a James effort to safety after three minutes before Erin Cuthbert’s dangerous strike was deflected wide.

The deadlock was broken in the 11th minute when James received a pass on the left and she struck a shot across goal and into the back of the net.

Liverpool’s response to going behind was immediate. Shanice van de Sanden raced away down the right and her low cross was diverted into her own net by Chelsea defender Jess Carter.

Chelsea then regained the lead with their next meaningful opportunity. James delivered a wonderful cross from the left and Aggie Beever-Jones bundled the ball home.

The Blues almost doubled their lead in first half injury time when Laws’ clearance rebounded off Sam Kerr but the ball bounced harmlessly wide.

Chelsea came out for the second half in search of more goals and Sophie Ingle was close to scrambling the ball in from close range but Liverpool got bodies in the way and they were able to clear the danger.

James then fired Chelsea 3-1 up when she lashed a powerful effort across goal and into the far corner.

Kerr was denied one-on-one by Laws before James completed her hat-trick when she raced into the box to connect with a Johanna Rytting Kaneryd cut-back.

Liverpool were unlucky not to pull a goal back when Sophie Roman Haug’s header was cleared off the line by Ève Périsset before Sjoeke Nüsken tapped in a fifth Chelsea goal after good work from Kaneryd.

This afternoon’s victory means that Chelsea will end the weekend at least three points clear at the top of the Barclays Women’s Super League table after seven rounds of matches.