Four-word Lauren James verdict says it all as Chelsea star helps seal crucial England win

The four-word verdict posted on Chelsea's official Twitter account said it all.

"Lauren James is her," was the assertion, written alongside a picture of the Blues' mercurial forward in action for England against the Republic of Ireland. James bagged her seventh senior international goal on Tuesday night, helping the Lionesses record the first win of their European Championship qualifying campaign ahead of next summer's tournament finals in Switzerland.

In what was England's first meeting with the Girls in Green since March 1987, it was James' flair and ingenuity that proved the difference between the two sides at Dublin's Aviva Stadium. And, while it was perhaps not the Lionesses' most electrifying display, it was a performance that yielded three important points that may well prove decisive as Sarina Wiegman's side seek to finish in the top two of their ominously-anointed 'Group of Death'.

In her pre-match press conference on Monday, the England boss had refused to be drawn on whether this was a must-win for her side. But after last Friday's lacklustre showing against Sweden seemed to offer more questions than answers for the European Champions, there was a sense that only a victory would assuage growing doubts that Wiegman's team is not the formidable force it was two years ago.

Perhaps the Dutchwoman sensed this too, as she made five changes to the team that was held to a 1-1 draw at Wembley last time out, with captain Leah Williamson — making her first appearance for the Lionesses in 364 days following her recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) — amongst the players to come into the side.

It was James, though, who — as she did against Sweden — set the tone for the visitors, almost teeing up Alessia