VIDEO: Super Fran Kirby! Lionesses star scores brace and provides stunning assist as Chelsea blow away Sunderland 5-0 in League Cup

The Black Cats always had their work cut out against the WSL champions in the League Cup and after Kirby set up Sjoke Nusken with a superb, dinked cross in the 28th minute, the hosts ran riot. Kirby was influential throughout and eventually helped herself to two late goals - as well as assisting Aggie Beever-Jones' goal, which made it 3-0 - as Chelsea booked their place in the semi-finals.

Kirby has returned to the Chelsea team recently after missing the majority of last season through injury. She will be desperate to give Emma Hayes - who is departing to take over the USWNT in the summer - a fitting send off this campaign, and the Blues remain in contention to win four trophies this season.

However, whether Kirby remains at Kingsmeadow beyond the end of the season remains to be seen. Her current deal expires in the summer and when quizzed on the chances of her penning a new contract last month, Hayes said: "I think when it comes to Fran, it's not unusual for players to go into the last six months of their contract. Fran knows that our goal with her is to keep her on the pitch for 100 per cent of the season, not less than 50 per cent.

"She understands that and sometimes she's a bit impatient. She wants to do everything at once but we know what a talent she is, we know what we can expect from Fran and I'm sure, again, when the club and the player and all of the people involved with that have something to announce on that front, they will."