This season so far has not entirely gone to plan for Chelsea, but they still have plenty to play for between now and May. On Sunday, the Blues battled to a 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Kingsmeadow, with Lauren James setting up Sjoeke Nüsken to break the deadlock just before half time, before the England international fired home the clincher later on. Overall, James was the star of the show.
Lauren James statistics vs Liverpool
Statistics | James | Match rank |
|---|---|---|
Goals | 1 | 1st |
Assists | 1 | 1st |
Shots on target | 1 | 1st |
Shots off target | 2 | 1st |
Dribble success % | 100% | 1st |
Big chances created | 1 | 1st |
Key passes | 3 | 1st |
Passing accuracy % | 91% | 5th |
Touches | 50 | 15th |
Match rating | 9.1 | 1st |
Note: Statistics courtesy of SofaScore.
That made it back-to-back 2-0 wins for Sonia Bompastor's team, also victorious at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a week earlier, responding to their back-to-back defeats at the hands of Arsenal and then Manchester City, the latter a 5-1 humiliation at the Etihad.
Chelsea are six-in-a-row WSL winners, an unprecedented amount of success, but that streak is going to come to an end. With only six fixtures remaining, Bompastor's side are third, nine points adrift leaders Manchester City, more in a battle for Champions League qualification than any sort of title race. Nevertheless, there are still three other trophies to play for and, if they're going to make this campaign a success, James is likely to be front and centre.
Chelsea's crucial upcoming fixtures
It is a vital period for Chelsea coming up. Between now and April Fool's Day, they will play seven matches which could determine whether or not this season is a success.
Chelsea's next 7 fixtures
- Manchester United - Kingsmeadow. FA Cup fifth round. Sunday 22 February. 13:30 kick off.
- Manchester United - Ashton Gate. League Cup Final. Sunday 15 March. Kick off 14:15.
- Brighton & Hove Albion - Kingsmeadow. WSL. Wednesday 18 March. Kick off 19:00.
- London City Lionesses - Hayes Lane. WSL. Sunday 22 March. Kick off 12:00.
- Arsenal - Emirates Stadium. Champions League quarter-final first leg. TBC.
- Aston Villa - Kingsmeadow. WSL. Sunday 29 March. Kick off 14:00.
- Arsenal - Stamford Bridge. Champions League quarter-final second leg. Wednesday 1 April. Kick off 20:00.
Next up for Bompastor's team is a tricky FA Cup tie against Manchester United on Sunday; their only meeting with the Red Devils so far this season ended 1-1 in Leigh back in October.
Well, the two will get well acquainted because, straight after the international break, the pair will reconvene in Bristol for the League Cup Final. Thus, by then, Chelsea could have one trophy in the cabinet and still be on track for another, or both could go up in smoke.
Later in March and into early-April, they'll be a fierce London derby in the Champions League quarter-finals. With Arsenal 4-0 up on Oud-Heverlee Leuven following the first leg at Den Dreef, it is safe to assume the reigning European and world champions will stand between the Blues and the last four.
It really is one huge game after another in this run in, so it will certainly be encouraging for Chelsea supporters to see James back to her best. Before the weekend, the forward had scored just one goal all season, this coming against West Ham last month, struggling for form and fitness.
Nevertheless, if the Blues are to secure a top three finish in the WSL, as well as pick up two domestic cups and challenge on the continent, she could be a genuine difference maker.