20,478 spectators flooded through the turnstiles in what was to be a highly anticipated clash between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

The fixture arrived as an opportunistic occasion for Emma Hayes’s side, looking to further solidify themselves at the league table’s summit. As for Manchester United, the clash against the league leaders was more than a must-win, after already having dropped 12 points in their league campaign thus far.

Chelsea: Hampton; Charles, Buchanan, Björn, Lawrence, Rhytting Kaneyrd, Cuthbert, Leupolz, Reiten, James, Fishel.

Manchester United: Earps; Blundell, Le Tissier, Turner, Riviere, Zelem, Ladd, Toone, Galton, Geyse, Garcia.

An electric start tp proceedings saw the home side come out of the gates with attacking composure, immediately causing issues for the Manchester United last line.

It wouldn’t be long before Lauren James found the advantage, a strike from inside of the area sending Mary Earps spinning as Chelsea got their lead. After receiving an onslaught of feedback from the fans in the away section, it was straight to the sea of red for James, rightfully celebrating her excellent finish with some of her harshest critics.

In what seemed to be growing in to an increasingly one-sided affair, it would be Jayde Riviere that would try and muster up an equaliser for the visitors. Her cross-field search looked set to find an advancing Ella Toone inside the area, before Kadeisha Buchanan masterfully anticipated the ball’s flight, heading it away and clear of any danger.

In true Lauren James fashion, the England international wasn’t going to settle for a single spotlight moment. Winter-window signing in Nathalie Björn sent an expert ball over the top of a Red Devils defence in standstill, before James’s one-touch strike saw the net rippling.

Melanie Leuploz nearly caused more havoc for the Mancunian defence, after placing a searching cross at the feet of an awaiting Niamh Charles at the back post. Though despite her textbook run being made to perfection, the Blues captain would be denied by the side netting.

Despite looking without bite, the final stages of the opening term would see the visitors snap back in desperation. After asserting her dominance in the wide area, Geyse sent in a searching cross to an awaiting scuffle inside the area. A blocked shot by Garcia would see Hayley Ladd come off best, the midfielder sinking the ball into Hannah Hampton’s net. The travelling fans erupted into a state of rapture, making their impressive presence known at The Bridge.

Neither side opted for changes at the half-time interval, as the visitors kicked off proceedings once again heading into the second half of play.

Ella Toone was blessed with a golden opportunity inside the area, as the midfielder found herself in space due to a line-breaking ball from Geyse in and behind the Blues backline. Despite her best efforts, Toone failed to strike with brilliance, seeing her ball cleared away from the danger by a stalking Björn.

The home side continued to push on, as James sent a fine cross in to an awaiting Björn at the back post. Though the Chelsea league debutant would be denied of her first goal in capital Blue, as a moment of brilliance from Earps saw her shot palmed away.

Marc Skinner made sure his voice was heard as Leah Galton went down in the box whilst appealing for a penalty inside of the area. Despite what may have been contact from behind by Ashleigh Lawrence, the referee indicated play to continue.

The fans inside of Stamford Bridge were set for a showdown as the clock ran, both sides proving equally as aggressive in attack. Despite trailing from behind, it was the visitors who appeared more threatening, refusing to roll over to defeat.

Though despite their best efforts, West London played the audience to another sparkling episode of the Lauren James show. A run in-behind saw James with the chance to cause further nightmares for a retreating Earps, making no mistake when striking beautifully to earn herself a hat-rick for the afternoon.

All wrapped up at 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, as the Blues retained their spot at the summit, whilst Manchester United were left wondering what will come of their European dreams.