Brighton 0-3 Chelsea: Lauren James nets another stunning double as Blues go six points clear at top of WSL

Report and free match highlights as Lauren James scored two superb goals inside 15 minutes of the second half; Fran Kirby netted Chelsea's second; the Blues go six points clear at the top of the WSL ahead of Arsenal and Man City

Senior football journalist

Saturday 27 January 2024 23:20, UK

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Lauren James added more stunning goals to her highlights reel, scoring twice as Chelsea beat Brighton 3-0 to go six points clear at the top of the WSL.

The England forward, who was lauded by her manager Emma Hayes last weekend for her ability to shoot with both feet, did just that with two wonderful efforts.

The epitome of cool, James' first goal 58 seconds after the break was a thunderous first-touch hit with her left foot that arrowed past Sophie Baggaley. The second (59) was similarly vicious, netted with her right after she was left inexplicably unmarked in the area.

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It was sandwiched either side of a Fran Kirby header (51), while British record signing and January arrival Mayra Ramirez made her Chelsea debut midway through the second half.

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It was arguably a harsh scoreline on the Seagulls, who tested and pressed Chelsea for much of the game, but could not find an answer for Chelsea's kick up in gears early in the second half.

The result sees Chelsea onto 31 points, six ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal, who play on Sunday. Brighton drop into ninth on goal difference, level on 11 points with Everton.

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Brighton began positively, but Chelsea went close in the 13th minute. A thunderous effort