Chelsea gained a three-point advantage in the Women’s Super League title race by beating struggling Bristol City in their final league match of the year.
Lauren James, returning to the starting line-up after being benched for their Champions League draw with Hacken on Tuesday, opened the scoring with a wonderfully-executed curling finish from the edge of the box.
Bristol City had early chances in an evenly-matched opening with Amalie Thestrup and Abi Harrison coming close, but Chelsea eventually showcased their excellence.
Erin Cuthbert fired a 34th-minute volley past Olivia Clark to extend their advantage when a mistimed clearance fell perfectly into her path.
James hit the crossbar as she looked to fire home another from distance, before Sam Kerr nodded in a pinpoint Guro Reiten cross to claim Chelsea’s third in the 59th minute.
Manager Emma Hayes said: “I thought all round it was a good performance and we got to rest some players and a debut for Hannah Hampton – we were able to win and develop players all at once.”
Chelsea ended on a low note, though, when they had defender Niamh Charles sent off as she was shown a second yellow card for a foul in injury time.
“I do not know what she was thinking,” added Hayes.
The result ensured the Blues finished the calendar year in command at the top of the table, taking advantage of Arsenal’s surprise defeat by rivals Tottenham on Saturday.
Bristol City are bottom after West Ham picked up a point by holding Leicester City to a 1-1 draw.
Chelsea are still in Champions League action before the break begins and visit Hacken on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).
Blues end difficult week on a high
After a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal and goalless Champions League draw with Hacken, Chelsea needed a response.
It was not the most controlling of performances, but the Blues finished a three-game spell in seven days on a positive note.
“We’re going to have tough moments in the season and Arsenal are a good team who have beaten us and that can make it hard in Europe,” said Blues midfielder Cuthbert.
“There’s nothing for us to worry about at this club. If you told me we’d be three points ahead at Christmas I would’ve bit your hand off – so it’s a great foundation for us to come back in January and kick on.”
Bristol City battled hard and tried to take the game to Chelsea, with Thestrup inches away from meeting a Jamie-Lee Napier delivery in the early exchanges.
Vixens boss Lauren Smith said: “One of the performances we wanted to get today was not getting stuck into our own half and I think we’ve done that.
“It’s meant we’ve got chances at the other end. Hopefully the next time it changes the outcome.”
Chelsea’s debutant goalkeeper Hampton, who joined from Aston Villa in the summer, was also forced into a well-timed save to foil Ffion Morgan from close range.
Thestrup fashioned chances as she linked well with Napier on the left-hand side to find gaps, but the hosts were undone by Chelsea’s pressure.
Hayes’ side attacked in numbers with James linking play, while Reiten made darting runs through the Bristol City backline and Fran Kirby and Kerr combined well in attack.
A first clean sheet in the WSL since November 12 at Everton, was sealed too, despite Charles’ late dismissal.
