Chelsea hero Lauren James opens up on ‘difficult week’ after Emma Hayes’ USWNT announcement - and dedicates hat-trick against Liverpool to Blues boss

England forward James scored her first Blues hat-trick and bagged an assist in a 5-1 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, as the defending WSL champions went six points clear at the top of the table. In Chelsea's first home game since Hayes announced she would leave the club at the end of the season to move stateside, James opened the scoring in the 11th minute.

Jess Carter scored an own goal two minutes later before Aggie Beever-Jones restored the home side's lead in the 24th minute. James scored her second and then third either side of the hour mark and Sjoeke Nusken got on the scoresheet too to secure Hayes' team all three points. After the match, James dedicated her hat-trick to her manager, whilst admitting the news of her impending departure was tough to take.

James told BBC Sport: "Amazing, I think even better to do it at the Bridge. Obviously with the news of Emma [Hayes] leaving, everything I do I am thankful to her."

When asked what she and Hayes said after the match, she added: "Just how proud she is and let's achieve big things this year. I think I've had a difficult last week with the news and everything so I am just thankful I could get some confidence back with today's (Saturday) performance."

Hayes' announcement has rocked the WSL. The 47-year-old has won 13 major trophies since taking over at the Blues in 2012 and her exit could spell an end to Chelsea's dominance of English football.

The London outfit are chasing their fifth successive WSL title and while Hayes is at the helm, that is very much a possibility. But when she does take over at the USWNT following the end of the season in May, it will be the end of a hugely important era.

Chelsea are back in Champions League action on Thursday when they host Paris FC.