da poker： Emma Hayes' side weren't at their best, but they took top spot in the Women's Super League back from Manchester City with Sunday's win
da dobrowin： Chelsea returned to the top of the Women's Super League table on Sunday, but their 3-0 win over Everton wasn't without controversy. The Toffees were left feeling aggrieved by two penalty decisions, though they were ultimately helpless when Guro Reiten twice stepped up to show the ice in her veins by converting coolly from 12 yards to help the Blues leapfrog Manchester City into first place.
It wasn't a vintage performance from the reigning champions, but there was plenty of excitement about the display from one player in particular. Mayra Ramirez was making her full debut for the club after a move from Levante that could end up being for a world-record fee. The Colombia international didn't disappoint, either, creating several chances and winning the second of Chelsea's penalties having been a handful for the Everton defence all night.
The win could've been more comfortable and convincing, with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Lauren James having big chances in particular, but Chelsea never looked in danger of losing the game, and Erin Cuthbert put the result beyond doubt late on when she capped a superb individual display with a well-taken goal to make it three.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Kingsmeadow…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Hannah Hampton (7/10):
Distribution was absolutely superb. Didn't have a save to make.
Ashley Lawrence (6/10):
Played some good passes forward to get the build-up play moving.
Jess Carter (6/10):
Struggled aerially against Piemonte, but was relatively untroubled in the game in general. Secure on the ball.
Nathalie Bjorn (7/10):
Near-faultless in possession, creating a fantastic chance for James with a ball over the top. Came up with some strong defensive interventions against her former side, too.
Niamh Charles (7/10):
Got forward well and did her bit to keep the clean sheet, winning plenty of duels.
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Erin Cuthbert (8/10):
Excellent, as usual. Added tempo to Chelsea's play when in of possession and showed great tenacity to win the ball back when they lost it. Her goal capped off a great night.
Melanie Leupolz (6/10):
Battled well to break up play often.
Lauren James (6/10):
Some nice moments. Should've scored just past the hour.
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Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (6/10):
Always looked to create something and won possession back more often than all but two players in her time on the pitch. Should've made it 2-0 when Ramirez put the ball on a plate for her, though.
Mayra Ramirez (8/10):
Took up good positions and showed clever movement, both in getting in goal-scoring areas herself and creating for others.
Guro Reiten (8/10):
Was lively from the first minute and linked up well with Ramirez. Two clinical penalties gave Chelsea the win.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Fran Kirby (6/10):
Had around 25 minutes to make an impact and had some nice moments without stealing the show.
Sjoeke Nusken (N/A):
Not on for long, but was in and amongst some nice passing moves while she was. Should've scored in the dying moments, too.
Mia Fishel (N/A):
Didn't have much time on the pitch but still managed to come up with a lovely assist for Cuthbert.
Aggie Beever-Jones (N/A):
Couldn't get involved in a short cameo from the bench.
Jelena Cankovic (N/A):
Only on for the final few minutes.
Emma Hayes (7/10):
Surrounded Ramirez with players she could link-up well with on her first start and that paid dividends. Not Chelsea's best performance, but that was owing to a lack of a clinical touch. They never looked in danger of losing the game.