5 talking points as James nets stunning hat-trick as Chelsea thrash Liverpool
Chelsea continued their unbeaten start to the season as Lauren James ran riot in a 5-1 win over Liverpool.
The Lionesses World Cup star fired home her first Chelsea WSL hat-trick, with the excellent Aggie Beever-Jones also on the scoresheet as the league champions eventually saw off a spirited Reds' challenge.
Chelsea, who were without skipper Millie Bright, led after just 11 minutes when James powered past Gemma Bonner to tuck home. Liverpool hit back instantly when Jess Carter could only divert a Shanice van de Sanden pass into her own goal.
But Chelsea had a second when James and Sam Kerr combined magnificently to pick out Beever-Jones to head home from close range. Two further goals from James did the damage after the break, the first smartly teed up by Kerr. But Liverpool had a big appeal for a penalty turned down in between the goals, when Ceri Holland was barged over by Erin Cuthbert.
Sjoeke Nusken then added a fifth when substitute Johanna Rytting Kaneryd flung the ball across the face of goal. The win also saw Sophie Ingle a new WSL appearance record.
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Here are the Mirror Football talking points from Stamford Bridge.
James reverts to "cheat code" mode
Lauren James has had something of a mixed start to the WSL season, including having to withdraw from the last England squad with a concussion But after having to settle for a bench role in the draw with Real Madrid, against Liverpool she was back in the starting line-up.
And the Lionesses star put on a show for the Stamford Bridge crowd. Her first goal was James in full "cheat code mode", as first coined by Leah Williamson. James made one of the best defenders in the league look ordinary in Gemma Bonner before tucking the ball home.
She then provided a wonderful assist for Beever Jones' goal, before getting her second with a classy finish on the break. The hat-trick followed after some wonderful work from the impressive Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. The visitors had no answer, this was James at her unplayable best.
Liverpool offer threat but can't spring another surprise
After their opening day win over Arsenal, Liverpool were looking to spring another surprise in the capital. Matt Beard's side looked in for a long afternoon after James' early goal.
But in front of their usual strong away following, they responded well to the early setback. Almost instantly Emma Koivisto produced a lovely bit of skill to set Van De Sanden away, who drove into the Chelsea penalty area.
Her dangerous cross proved telling, Carter unable to clear and diverting the ball past Musovic to leave the home support stunned. Manager Beard will be disappointed with the defending that allowed the Blues to retake the lead before half-time, which proved a decisive moment, no-one picking up Beever-Jones at the back post.
They ran out of steam in the last 20 minutes, but for large swathes of this game the Reds were right in the contest and threatening the Chelsea goal. Liverpool also had a strong shout for a penalty waved away when Holland was clattered by Cuthbert inside the box and had an effort cleared off the line.
Liverpool equalised immediately after falling behindBeever-Jones impresses in rare start
A regular in the England under-23 squad this season, Aggie Beever-Jones is a Lioness in waiting. Today she was given her first WSL start of the season, alongside Lauren James and Sam Kerr in a powerful looking Chelsea attack.
With the likes of Guro Reiten, Mia Fishel and Fran Kirby all competing for attacking spots this season, Beever-Jones needs to make the most of every minute she gets to show Emma Hayes what she can do. And she took her chance with a moment of fine quality in the 24th minute.
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Arriving with a smartly timed run at the back post, the former Everton loanee planted her header into the Shed End goal.
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Aggie Beever-Jones of Chelsea scores her team's second goal during the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on November 18, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Aggie Beever-Jones celebrates Chelsea's secondMillie Bright unusually absent
A surprise omission from the team sheet was England defender Millie Bright, who missed a competitive game for the first time this season. There was no indication of an injury prior to the game, so England and Chelsea fans will hope it is just a case of her being rested.
Bright was out on the touchline prior to kick-off looking in good spirits, so unless Emma Hayes provides a different update, you could expect her to feature next week against Paris FC in the Champions League. Bright has played a lot of football since returning at the World Cup and a rest should benefit her in the long run.
In her absence Jess Carter and Maren Mjelde formed a partnership at centre-back, but were often vulnerable to the physicality of Van De Sanden and Sophie Roman Haug.
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Shanice Van De Sanden of Liverpool is tackled by Maren Mjelde of Chelsea during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on November 18, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)Chelsea once again setting the pace in the WSL
As they did in their recent thrashing of Aston Villa, Chelsea have stolen a march on their title rivals by navigating a tricky fixture early in the WSL weekend. They can now sit back and enjoy the two Manchester clubs slogging it out at Old Trafford tomorrow, where the losing side could find themselves with already too much to do in the title race.
Fellow contenders Arsenal also have a tricky assignment tomorrow, away at a resurgent Brighton. Emma Hayes likes her team to be at the front of the pack. And based on current form it's hard to see anyone else leading the table when the Christmas break rolls around in a months time.
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