Blues go top with Lauren James netting in thumping defeat of Foxes while Brighton move above West Ham

CHELSEA threw down the title race gauntlet in a spectacular fashion with a ruthless 9-0 demolition of Leicester City.

Lauren James’ first Blues goal and a Beth England brace were among the efforts that saw the Foxes endure a torrid afternoon at the King Power.

Reuters

Sam Kerr and Lauren James were both on target for Chelsea as they moved one point ahead of Arsenal[/caption]

And the title-holders became the first WSL side to bag three goals in 10 minutes as they moved to the summit above Arsenal.

Guro Reiten kicked off the goal fest bending a third-minute free-kick into the top corner before Sam Kerr made it two moments later off a rebound.

And the Australia striker worked her way to the edge off the box teeing up England to fire home moments later.

Aniek Nouwen netted Chelsea’s fourth in the eleventh minute turning the ball home following a corner.

England made it five with a powerful header near the half-hour mark shortly before Ashleigh Plumptre went off injured after hitting her head on the post.

The second half saw Reiten nab her second goal of the afternoon with her cross finding the back of the net.

Kerr made it seven moments after in the 46^th minute with a headed goal after evading her markers.

Super substitute James increased the lead latching onto to a pass into the penalty area from Niamh Charles to register her first goal in a Blues shirt.

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Jessie Fleming made it nine in the 90^th minute scoring at close range following a backheel from Drew Spence.

Elsewhere Brighton leapfrogged West Ham to go sixth in the table after battling win away at the Irons.

Aileen Whelan put the visitors ahead turning the ball home in the second minute following a corner.

The Hammers looked to draw level around the 23^rd minute through Yui Hasegawa.

PA

Brighton moved up to mid-table with their eighth win in 18 WSL games this season[/caption]

But the Japan star’s attempts to shoot were thwarted before the ball flew out of play for a goal-kick.

A defensive mix-up saw Inessa Kaagman wrap up Albion’s win with the Netherlands forward scoring in the 80^th minute.