Lauren James is unstoppable! Chelsea star's sublime hat-trick inspires rout over Liverpool to send Emma Hayes' side six points clear at top of WSL table

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes made many changes to her starting XI for the encounter at Stamford Bridge but the Blues looked as strong as ever, going on to take the lead just 11 minutes in. It all began when the home team won the ball in the middle of the pitch before it was played through to James, who shimmied past Gemma Bonner and fired into the net.

Liverpool drew level right away, though, when Shanice van de Sanden's low cross was knocked into the net by Chelsea defender Jessica Carter, but the hosts got back on top shortly afterwards with a fantastic cross from James that was met by Aggie Beever-Jones and headed into the net.

Liverpool looked capable of pushing for an equaliser, but James dashed their hopes with two more fine goals in the second half before Sjoeke Nusken tapped in to secure a 5-1 win.

James now has four goals and an assist to her name in the WSL this season, having played six matches. The 22-year-old joined the Blues from Manchester United in 2021 and has won two WSL titles and two Women's FA Cups with the club. With her hat-trick on Saturday, meanwhile, she made WSL history as the youngest player to have four goal involvements.

Jameswas different class as the Blues held onto top spot in the WSL. Her feint for the first goal, the cross for Chelsea's second, the shot for the third and her run in and finish to complete the hat-trick were all stupendous in another top class display from the England star.

Van de Sanden was the biger loser here as she didn't deserve to be on the end of a 5-1 loss. Indeed, she was a real livewire throughout for Liverpool and, up against a strong Chelsea defence, she managed to pull her team level almost immediately after they conceded the opening goal. She was the brightest spark in the second half, too, but was unable to force another equaliser before Chelsea killed them off.

Chelsea will take on Paris FC in the Women's Champions League next week, followed by a WSL meeting with Leicester. Liverpool, meanwhile, have a big game against Manchester United in the Women's League Cup coming up next.