Chelsea Women 3-1 Arsenal: 3 takeaways, James inspires special night at Stamford Bridge

3. The narrative of Lauren James at Stamford Bridge just keeps getting better

The day before the match, Hayes reported that James was in doubt due to an illness. On Friday night, the Gunners were sick---a different kind of sick. Sick of running around trying to stop the west Londoners' No. 10. In just four WSL fixtures in the SW6 this season, the English attacker has contributed to nine goals. Her hairdo was almost as slick as her 83 minutes. Last time the gals in red kept James in check. She ran riot on Friday.

James was far too powerful with the ball at her feet, knifing through the Gunners while leading the line. Just watch the build-up to the second goal by Nusken. Lia Wälti made a halfhearted attempt at a tackle which left the dynamic 22-year-old free to charge at the AFC defense.

When Katie McCabe had a chance, she made the right call. Just foul her. Sometimes that's all you can do when you're competing against someone in her own palace with that much confidence. James completed an impressive five out of her six dribbles, taking seven shots, three more than anybody else on the pitch. In fact, it was six more than she managed in the reverse leg at the Emirates. Her distribution was also on point, completing all but six of her passes. Three of her completions were pinpoint long balls.

Hayes broke down what the week was like for LJ and what stood out from her masterclass.

"She'd been sick all week. She came on against Everton last week and she wasn't very well," she stated. "This week she came out for one training session I said look, you've got a go up top, we don’t have another striker, and I thought she played with joy, she played with freedom when the ball came to her feet, and she can carry the weight of the crowd."