Emma Hayes' side were pretty much flawless as they made a huge statement in the title race
On Thursday, Emma Hayes warned that Lauren James could miss Chelsea's crunch Women's Super League meeting with Arsenal through illness. And if this is James some way off 100 per cent, the rest of the WSL should be shaking in fear, with the Lionesses star stealing the show during her team's highly-impressive 3-1 win over the Gunners.
After an utterly bizarre 30-minute delay, caused by a socks-related mix-up, the hosts flew out of the traps. It took Chelsea just 15 minutes to find the breakthrough, with James showing expert composure before smashing home at the near post – though Manuela Zinsberger should have done better.
James was involved in the second goal shortly after, teeing up Erin Cuthbert whose shot on goal was poked into the net by Sjoeke Nusken. Nusken grabbed another before the break in strange circumstances, with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's shot rebounding in off her backside.
Arsenal rung the changes at half-time, but it had little effect on the direction of traffic. Kaneryd saw two decent efforts saved in the second period and James went close too, before a Catarina Macario own goal trimmed the home side's lead to two late on. It was a winning margin that did not do justice to an injury-ravaged Chelsea's dominance, with this result moving them six points ahead of their London rivals in the WSL title race.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Hannah Hampton (6/10):
Very rarely called into action. Distribution was solid and left wrong-footed by the own goal.
Eve Perisset (9/10):
Defended doggedly throughout, successfully seeing off a whole host of threats. Outstanding.
Kadeisha Buchanan (8/10):
Composure personified. Sometimes mistakes can creep into her game, but there was very little of that this evening.
Jess Carter (7/10):
Covered a few balls over the top well and never looked flustered in possession.
Niamh Charles (7/10):
Not quite as marauding as she normally is, but defended exceptionally.
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Melanie Leupolz (8/10):
So classy. The foundation on which Chelsea's dominance was built.
Erin Cuthbert (8/10):
The energy of the Blues' midfield. Broke up play as always and set up the second goal.
Sjoeke Nusken (8/10):
One instinctive and one quite funny finish. They all count, though. Made sure to flood the box when James dropped in. Very important to the win.
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Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (8/10):
Did so well in the build up to the third goal, sending Williamson for a hot dog. Dangerous throughout and unlucky not to score.
Lauren James (9/10):
She rocked Stamford Bridge once again. Arsenal simply couldn't get near her for the majority of proceedings.
Guro Reiten (7/10):
Not as involved as her right-sided counterpart, but pressed diligently and swung in a decent cross or two. Also went close with a free kick.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Ashley Lawrence (7/10):
Linked up well with James after coming on and went very close with a low shot.
Catarina Macario (5/10):
Own goal was unfortunate, but at least she kept up her scoring streak… kind of.
Emma Hayes (9/10):
Asked for performance full of fight after December's debacle and got it. Hayes' tactics were spot on as she provided another reminder of how much Chelsea – and the WSL as a whole – is going to miss her.