Women’s Super League: Lauren James scores twice as league leaders Chelsea thrash Brighton to extend advantage

Lauren James scored her 11th and 12th goals of the season as Chelsea beat Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 to extend their lead at the top of the Women’s Super League to six points.

The England international and Fran Kirby netted all three goals in a dominant 20-minute period in the second half to put the game to bed.

Chelsea squandered a handful of chances in the opening period as Brighton held on to their clean sheet until the break, but Emma Hayes’ side sparked into life in the second half.

James, who scored a hat-trick against Manchester United in their last league game, broke the deadlock with a goal-of-the-season contender just seconds after the restart.

Niamh Charles fired in a cross which James hooked towards goal with a first-time effort, looping the ball over Sophie Baggaley and into the top left corner.

Five minutes later, Kirby nodded in from close range for Chelsea’s second.

The visitors swung in a corner towards the near post, which Brighton half-cleared but only as far as Melanie Leupolz, who headed the ball back into the mix for Kirby to finish.

On the hour-mark, James scored another brilliant goal to wrap up victory for the away side.

Again Brighton failed to clear their lines, this time from Guro Reiten’s cross, as the ball fell perfectly into the path of James who sent a low, driven effort into the bottom-left corner.

If they were not already, Chelsea’s hopes of sealing a fifth consecutive WSL title were boosted when new signing Mayra Ramirez replaced James for her Chelsea debut.

Ramirez joined the Blues from Spanish side Levante for a British-record fee of £385,000 on Friday.

The Colombian was signed as a replacement for striker Sam Kerr, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury earlier this month.

Chelsea’s latest victory is their third in six days after they beat Man Utd 3-1 on Sunday before overcoming Real Madrid 2-1 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday to top the group.

Saturday’s triumph at Broadfield Stadium against Brighton moves Chelsea six points clear of Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the WSL table.

Man City take on Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, while Arsenal travel to Liverpool.

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