SOUL OF SPORT: Emma Hayes led Chelsea to a 5-1 win over Liverpool in her first home game since announcing she would be leaving the club. ANDY HOOPER was at Stamford Bridge to capture the Blues running riot in the capital
- Lauren James scored a hat-trick for Chelsea as they remained top of the Women’s Super League on Saturday
- The Blues are three points clear at the top of the table after they returned to league action at Stamford Bridge
- Hayes’s side secured a comfortable victory after a difficult evening against Real Madrid during the week
Welcome back to the Soul of Sport. For our latest episode of the series, ANDY HOOPER was at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea versus Liverpool in the Women’s Super League.
In the Blues’s first home game since Emma Hayes’s shock announcement that she will be leaving the club at the end of the season, they ran riot as they ran out dominant winners in the capital.
Lauren James received high praise from Hayes and netted a hat-trick to help her side to their dominant victory, with Aggie Beever-Jones and Sjoeke Nusken also scoring and the game finishing 5-1, with a Jess Carter own goal giving Liverpool their goal in the first half.
It meant Hayes’s side remained favourites to retain their WSL title after seven games played, having picked up 19 points from their matches so far with six wins and a draw to their names.
Our man captured the best moments inside and outside the ground as Chelsea put down another marker on Saturday afternoon.
A Chelsea fan waits before kick-off outside Stamford Bridge, where there are constant reminders of the achievements of the men’s team
Emma Hayes embraced the home supporters at the game as she coached her first home game since announcing she will be leaving the club
They were rivals at the World Cup, but it was all smiles for Millie Bright (left) and Sam Kerr (right) after another dominant win
Hayes said Lauren James (right) is England’s ‘most naturally-gifted footballer’, with the forward saying ‘everything I do is for Emma’ in return
It was all celebrations as the Women’s Super League leaders put on a five-star show for their fans in the capital on Saturday
Chelsea captain Maren Mjelde, standing in for the injured Bright, tussles with Liverpool forward Shanice van de Sanden
Fans of both sides came together to support their teams in the stands – some will have been leaving happier than others
Aggie Beever-Jones scored Chelsea’s second goal to put them ahead after a Jess Carter own goal had cut out James’ opener
Knee slide celebrations tend to split opinion… fun to do and watch, but not as fun for anyone that will have prepared or be working on the pitches
Fans hoped for autographs pitch side – one eager fan donning an Australia scarf and shirt may have been hoping to catch the attention of one player in particular
Socceroos captain Sam Kerr made her way around to give out autographs. Kerr remains one of the most popular Blues stars
Chelsea supporters matched the passion shown from the players on the field in the stands. 12,802 supporters attended the match at Stamford Bridge
Some supporters found it harder to contain their excitement than others – one supporter held her flag tightly as she made her way to the ground
James made one supporter’s day, with the smiling ball boy ecstatic to be handing the ball back to the star of the game
The players were given a hero’s reception as they arrived at the ground for their latest match as they returned to league action following their Champions League draw with Real Madrid
Fans had the opportunity to get their hands on some merch prior to the match, with Kerr, Bright and James scarves notably on sale in the street
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