Chelsea's Lauren James scored twice as her side beat Leicester City 5-2 on Sunday to stay top of the Women's Super League going into the final international break of 2023, while Beth Mead's brace kept Arsenal in second after a 3-0 win over West Ham United.
James struck in the second minute to give Chelsea the lead, and an own goal by Courtney Nevin three minutes later had them 2-0 up, and though Leicester pegged them back to 2-1 and 3-2, a second goal from James and an Agnes Beever-Jones strike secured the three points for the home side.
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Arsenal's Frida Maanum also netted in the second minute for her side before England international Beth Mead, who recently returned after a long period on the sidelines due to an ACL injury, added two more first-half goals in their 3-0 win against West Ham.
Chelsea remain unbeaten in the league and top the standings on 22 points, three ahead of Arsenal and seven ahead of third-placed Manchester United, who cruised to a 2-0 win away to Bristol City.
Liverpool moved up to fourth with a 4-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, but they could be replaced by either Manchester City or Tottenham Hotspur who face each other later on Sunday.