Sjoeke Nusken celebrates goal versus LiverpoolGetty Images
At a glance
Sjoeke Nusken opens scoring for Chelsea
Lauren James adds a brilliant second
Blues in third spot, four points clear of Arsenal
Liverpool a place and point above bottom club Leicester
PLAYER RATINGS
Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter at Kingsmeadow
Lauren James inspired Chelsea to back‑to‑back victories after their Women's Super League title defence faltered with consecutive defeats a fortnight ago.
The England forward added to Sjoeke Nusken's strike as the third-placed Blues boosted their bid for a Champions League place, while dealing a blow to Liverpool's hopes of avoiding relegation.
Nusken claimed the 40th-minute opener when she ghosted into the box to tap home a James cross after she spun midfielder Alice Bergstrom in the build-up when the visitors failed to clear a corner.
Chelsea had already begun to increase the pressure in what had been a closely contested first half, with Erin Cuthbert and Keira Walsh having efforts blocked and James shooting wide.
Liverpool threatened too, with Ceri Holland lively before the break, and Cornelia Kapocs going close. Martha Thomas also forced a save after the interval, underlining the danger posed by Gareth Taylor's side.
But the quality of Chelsea, and indeed James, ultimately told. In the 65th minute, she collected a pass from Veerle Buurman, eased by Liverpool midfielder Fuka Nagano and drove a powerful strike past keeper Jennifer Falk at the near post.
Sonia Bompastor's side are a point behind second-placed Manchester United, but moved four clear of fourth-placed Arsenal, who have two games in hand after their match on Sunday at Brighton was postponed.
Liverpool are just a place and point above bottom club Leicester City, who have a game in hand.
More to follow.
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1 Give it up
10 Pure perfection
Chelsea
Liverpool
Starting XI
24H. Hampton
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17S. Baltimore
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5V. Buurman
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16N. Girma
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2E. Carpenter
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30K. Walsh
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12A. Thompson
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6S. Nüsken
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8E. Cuthbert
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19J. Rytting Kaneryd
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10L. James
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33A. Beever-Jones
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18W. Kaptein
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20S. Kerr
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32L. Potter
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22L. Bronze
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Starting XI
28J. Falk
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29Alejandra Bernabé
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4G. Fisk
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17J. Clark
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5R. Shimizu
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8F. Nagano
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18C. Holland
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6D. O'Sullivan
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7C. Kapocs
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25A. Bergström
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31M. Thomas
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27A. Csillag
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13M. Enderby
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19K. MacLean
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