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Chelsea 5-0 Reading: Sam Kerr and Beth England each score twice as Blues go back to top

Sam Kerr and Beth England both scored twice as Chelsea beat Reading comfortably to return to the top of the Women’s Super League.

The victory moved Chelsea one point clear of Arsenal with four games left.

Arsenal had briefly reclaimed top position with a 5-0 win over Leicester earlier on Sunday.

But Jessie Fleming’s opener set Emma Hayes’ side on their way as they extended their winning run to six games.

Victory in all of their remaining games will give Chelsea their third successive WSL trophy.

Chelsea imposed their authority with four second-half goals – and England’s first was the best of the bunch as she slammed a superb volley past Reading keeper Grace Moloney to make it 2-0.

Reading’s determined defence frustrated Chelsea in the opening half with Moloney and Natasha Harding denying them early opportunities.

But Canadian Olympic gold medallist Fleming found the breakthrough goal when she calmly chested down England’s header and slotted it into the top corner with a half-volley, and Chelsea never looked back.

Kelly Chambers’ Reading, who are now winless in eight games, did not trouble Chelsea with any clear-cut chances. Rachel Rowe came closest when she hit her long-range effort over the crossbar.

Beth England scores penalty
Beth England has scored six goals in her past three appearances for Chelsea in all competitions

Meanwhile, Chelsea set a new WSL record by keeping a seventh consecutive clean sheet at home.

Blues boss Hayes was full of praise for England, who scored her sixth and seventh goals of the season, for finding her form towards the end of the season.

“Her approach and mentality has been first class,” Hayes told Sky Sports. “She’s just coming into top form right in time for us and England as well this summer.”

England was equally pleased in her recent upturn in form.

“I didn’t have a strong start to the season, I was battling with a few things – mentally and game-time and stuff. I’m starting to find a rhythm now,” she said.

“I’m just enjoying my football at the minute and I’m glad it’s showing.”

Line-ups

Chelsea Women

Formation 3-5-2

  • 1Musovic
  • 4Bright
  • 3NouwenSubstituted forMjeldeat 78′minutes
  • 16Eriksson
  • 7CarterSubstituted forCharlesat 78′minutes
  • 17FlemingSubstituted forAbdullinaat 81′minutes
  • 5Ingle
  • 22CuthbertSubstituted forSpenceat 82′minutes
  • 11ReitenSubstituted forAnderssonat 79′minutes
  • 9England
  • 20Kerr

Substitutes

  • 18Mjelde
  • 21Charles
  • 24Spence
  • 25Andersson
  • 27Abdullina
  • 30Berger
  • 35Thompson

Reading Women

Formation 5-4-1

  • 1Moloney
  • 2Bryson
  • 11HardingSubstituted forPrimmerat 79′minutes
  • 5Evans
  • 14Cooper
  • 28Woodham
  • 12HarriesSubstituted forTroelsgaardat 57′minutes
  • 9Eikeland
  • 4Peplow
  • 6Rose
  • 23Rowe

Substitutes

  • 10Dowie
  • 21Stewart
  • 31Roberts
  • 37Primmer
  • 51Troelsgaard

Referee:
Emily Heaslip

Attendance:
2,485

Match Stats

Live Text

  1. Match ends, Chelsea Women 5, Reading Women 0.

  2. Second Half ends, Chelsea Women 5, Reading Women 0.

  3. Offside, Chelsea Women. Bethany England tries a through ball, but Jonna Andersson is caught offside.

  4. Offside, Reading Women. Chloe Peplow tries a through ball, but Sanne Troelsgaard is caught offside.

  5. Goal! Chelsea Women 5, Reading Women 0. Bethany England (Chelsea Women) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top left corner.

  6. Penalty Chelsea Women. Bethany England draws a foul in the penalty area.

  7. Penalty conceded by Faye Bryson (Reading Women) after a foul in the penalty area.

  8. Maren Mjelde (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  9. Foul by Deanne Rose (Reading Women).

  10. Foul by Sophie Ingle (Chelsea Women).

  11. Chloe Peplow (Reading Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  12. Alsu Abdullina (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  13. Foul by Faye Bryson (Reading Women).

  14. Alsu Abdullina (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  15. Foul by Faye Bryson (Reading Women).

  16. Niamh Charles (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  17. Foul by Tia Primmer (Reading Women).

  18. Substitution, Chelsea Women. Drew Spence replaces Erin Cuthbert.

  19. Substitution, Chelsea Women. Alsu Abdullina replaces Jessie Fleming.

  20. Substitution, Reading Women. Tia Primmer replaces Natasha Harding.

Sourced From BBC

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