James stars as WSL leaders Chelsea beat Liverpool

England ahead Lauren James scored a hat-trick and created one purpose as Chelsea beat Liverpool at Stamford Bridge to maneuver six factors clear on the high of the Ladies’s Tremendous League.

James collected the ball 30 yards out, ran in the direction of Liverpool defender Gemma Bonner, stepped into the penalty space, slid the ball to her left foot and drilled a low end previous Rachael Legal guidelines.

The help for James’ purpose went to Wales captain Sophie Ingle on the day she set a brand new WSL file for many appearances within the competitors – her 184th recreation to maneuver one forward of former Birmingham Metropolis and Tottenham defender Kerys Harrop.

Nevertheless, Liverpool, who would have completed second in the event that they gained, equalized lower than two minutes later at half time.

Shanice van de Sanden was in a position to flip previous England defender Jess Carter and run in the direction of the house defence, with Carter then by accident bundling the ball over her personal purpose line from Van de Sanden’s low cross.

James was neglected of Chelsea’s beginning line-up 2-2 Champions League draw in opposition to Actual Madrid on Wednesday however was glorious in her recall and her glorious cross from the left was headed in by Aggie Beever-Jones to revive Chelsea’s lead.

Chelsea added a 3rd early within the second half, with James amassing Sam Kerr’s move and drilling a wonderful low strike into the nook from a decent angle. James then accomplished her first WSL hat-trick for Chelsea, getting a pull-back from substitute Johanna Rytting Kaneryd forward of teammate Sjoeke Nusken.

James additionally began the transfer for Chelsea’s fifth when she performed in Rytting Kaneryd and her cross was completed from shut vary by Nusken.

Hayes’ staff are chasing their fifth consecutive WSL title and have gained six and drawn considered one of their first seven league matches in 2023-2024.

They’ve performed a recreation greater than second-placed Arsenal and the Gunners will reduce the result in three factors in the event that they win away to Brighton on Sunday.

‘I felt like I used to be letting my household down’

The victory extends Chelsea’s unimaginable dwelling file, which has now seen them win 19 consecutive WSL dwelling video games (at Kingsmeadow or Stamford Bridge) since a 0-0 draw in opposition to Arsenal in February 2022.

Hayes has been with Chelsea since 2012 and guided the membership to 6 WSL titles, 5 FA Cups, two League Cups and a Champions League closing. She is on observe so as to add much more success earlier than beginning work in america subsequent summer time.

Talking on the match day programme, she mentioned: “It isn’t a call I’ve taken flippantly and it is most likely one of many hardest issues I’ve carried out in my life. Should you spend eleven years at a particular membership like this, that is who you develop into. Chelsea is my membership and all the time can be.

“We have now grown a lot collectively and it was actually the expertise of a lifetime to be part of this, making recollections and friendships that may final without end.

“I felt like I used to be letting my household down once I instructed the women and I felt lots of disappointment within the days that adopted. I’m so pleased with what we have now achieved collectively. I hope you perceive why I made this determination.”

Captain Millie Shiny, who was not within the matchday squad for the sport in opposition to Liverpool, mentioned all of the gamers have been “gutted” and added: “I’ve such an important relationship with Em, she has been a mentor to me for thus a few years and nearly like a life coach.

“We lose a particular supervisor and greater than that, a particular individual. Em has been a serial winner for ten years. Now we simply should hold specializing in the season, that is what Emma desires, that is what she does, so we keep targeted on the duty forward: profitable trophies.”

Regardless of the information surrounding their supervisor, Chelsea stay as targeted as ever and judging by this efficiency, and with James in such imperious kind, they must take a break this season as Hayes appears to be like to return away with extra silverware.