.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
It was an afternoon of contrasts for Chelsea as they hosted Manchester United in the Women's Super League on Sunday. At times, this was Emma Hayes' side at their free-flowing best as they extended their lead at the top of the table to three clear points.
Inspired by the unplayable Lauren James, who helped herself to a second Stamford Bridge hat-trick of the season, the Blues should have raced into an unassailable early lead. But oddly, there was occasions when the result felt in genuine doubt, such was their sloppiness at the back as the game wore on.
Chelsea's dominance was absolute in the first half-hour. Within five minutes, James silenced the jeers of the travelling fans by opening the scoring from a tight angle, and the former Red Devil deservedly doubled her side's advantage not long after with a fierce strike following a superb through ball from full debutant Nathalie Bjorn.
Whether due to complacency or fatigue, the Blues' grip on the game loosened just before the break, with some weak defending allowing Hayley Ladd to pull one back in the 41st minute. The goal gave the visitors hope and they made the second half extremely uncomfortable for Chelsea.
Ella Toone was only denied a clean strike at goal by a last-gasp Ashley Lawrence tackle, while Ladd somehow found an effort smothered during a goalmouth scramble as United pushed hard for a leveller. Ultimately, though, James made the blue portion of the 20,000 fans packed in at the Bridge breathe a huge, collective sigh of relief when she slid home five minutes from time to make sure of the three points.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players below...