James' late stunner wins it for Chelsea as they come from behind to beat Everton 2-1
By Paul Lagan at Kingsmeadow
Chelsea v Everton
Lauren James introduced a sensational last-gasp winner for the Blues that, to be fair they never really deserved.
It sparked scenes of joy and relief on and off the pitch as the champions had to come from behind after Kelly Gago gave the visitors the lead on 51 minutes.
Mayra Ramirez proved her worth with a smart equaliser, before James' late, late strike to make it 2-1.
The England striker dug the dagger deep into the Everton's defenders' hearts with a thumping long-range left-footer as the third minute of the four added minutes ticked over.
But Everton only had themselves to blame as their defence-minded policy with sporadic attacks ultimately lost out to a side determined to find the back of the net.
It was an exceptionally dull first 45 minutes, with Everton completely devoid of any serious attacking intent, and the home side incapable of making their dominant possession work.
Half chances from Lauren James, and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd failed to make a dent in the Everton defence.
Surprisingly there were no changes by the Blues at the break and the performance was as tepid.
So it was really no surprise when R
Everton scored five minutes after the restart from striker Kelly Gago.
Lucy Bronze and Maika Hamano instantly replaced Catarina Macario and Ashley Lawrence, although both were ready to come on before the Blues went behind.
Sjoeke Nusken was then replaced by Wieke Kaptein on 56 minutes.
It's a cliché to say that the setback gave a boost to the Blues, but they instantly raised their tempo. And just as a linesman slipped over the Blues equalised when Mayra Ramirez proved her worth with a piece of aggressive, coveting of the ball before;icing home a deft, right-footer that cut across Courtney Brosnan and into the back of the net for the leveller.
Rytting Kaneryd and Maelys Mpome came off on 72 minutes to be replaced by Niamh Charles and Aggie Beever-Jones.
Jones should have scored on 79 minutes when a perfect left, byline cross by Sandy Balti,more fell invitingly to the striker but her unchallenged header struck the crossbar instead of hitting the back of the net.
Keira Walsh then hit the post as the Blues strived to get the winner.
But then it was the James show as she produced the match-winner.
Teams: Chelsea: Hampton, Bright, Nusken, Ramirez, Macario, James, Lawrence, Baltimore, Rytting Kaneryd Mpome, Walsh
Subs: Liefting, Reiten, Bjorn, Kaptein, Charles, Bronze, Hamano, Jean-Francois, Beever-Jones
Everton: Brosnan, Mjelde, Fernandez, Hayashi, Payne, Holmgaard, Stenevik, Stenevik, Gago
Ramsey, Vanhaevermaet, Lawley, Hope, Watson, Sarri, Holmgaard, Olesen
Referee: Phoebe Cross
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