Sonia Bompastor's side fell behind early in the second, but Mayra Ramirez grabbed an equaliser for the Lionesses forward netted in injury time
Lauren James grabbed a dramatic 93rd-minute winner for Chelsea as they showed the spirit of champions in a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Everton in the Women's Super League.
Having seen off the same opponents in the FA Cup last time out, confidence in the home camp of enjoying another comfortable afternoon’s work should have been high. The WSL leaders did, however, struggle to get going against stubborn rivals from Merseyside that were happy to sit in, get bodies behind the ball and make life as difficult as possible for James, Keira Walsh and Co.
The only opportunity of note in the opening 45 minutes came early on, with Maelys Mpome seeing claims that the ball had been bundled over the line following a scramble from a corner waved away before the defence versus attack routine set in. Chelsea were always running the risk of getting caught by a sucker punch, and that duly arrived in the 51st minute as Kelly Gago drifted into the space left by an advancing defensive unit and calmly fired across Hannah Hampton into the top corner.
Said lead only lasted 11 minutes, with Mayra Ramirez – who was allowed to turn with her back to goal and drill a low effort across and beyond Courtney Brosnan – refusing to let the Blues' unbeaten run come to an end. And with the clock ticking down, Lionesses star James stepped up to complete a remarkable turnaround as she collected the ball 20 yards from goal and sent a stunning left-footed effort skidding into the back of the net – sparking wild scenes of celebration.
GOAL rates Chelsea’s players from Kingsmeadow…
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Hannah Hampton (5/10):
Stepped off her line to make one brave catch in the opening exchanges – knowing that she would take a hit – but was unable to do anything about the Everton goal.
Ashley Lawrence (5/10):
Was able to push well forward, as the visitors sat back, and was not afraid to try her luck with shots from the edge of the box – but the Toffees goal came from her area of the field.
Maelys Mpome (6/10):
Thought she may have forced the ball over the line early on, but saw those appeals waved away, and looked assured for most of the game – stepping out from the back with confidence.
Millie Bright (6/10):
Had virtually nothing to do, apart from pick the ball out of the back of the net, with the commanding centre-half standing up to the challenges that she faced well.
Sandy Baltimore (6/10):
Offered plenty of width down the Chelsea left, as she flew forward at every opportunity, and was involved in the Blues’ equaliser when winning possession over on the right flank.
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Keira Walsh (5/10):
Always assured in possession and keeps things ticking over in the middle of the park, but was unable to find space between the lines and in behind.
Sjoeke Nusken (5/10):
Plenty of energy in the Chelsea engine room, with Everton prepared to let the Blues have the ball for long periods, but needed to move it quicker at times.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (6/10):
The Blues needed more from those in attacking areas of the pitch, with Kaneryd the one to pick out Ramirez for the equaliser.
Lauren James (7/10):
Did her best to generate a spark, with the odd dangerous run and cross posing problems before producing the moment of magic that ultimately settled the game.
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Catarina Macario (5/10):
Had to drift deep and wide in search of the ball, with frustration setting in, and that meant that she often vacated the playmaking post that she is supposed to fill.
Mayra Ramirez (6/10):
Will be happy to have found the net after being crowded out for much of the contest, with a smart finish delivered when spinning seven yards out and firing back across goal.
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Lucy Bronze (6/10):
Introduced immediately after the Everton goal and was her lively self when bombing on from right-back while looking to provide attacking support.
Maika Hamano (6/10):
Never stopped running and helped to ensure that Everton were not allowed to take any kind of control in the middle of the pitch.
Wieke Kaptein (5/10):
The Dutch teenager was another asked to provide hard running in the middle of the field, and was prepared to go beyond Ramirez with late bursts into the box.
Niamh Charles (6/10):
Gave Everton no time on the ball following her introduction off the bench, with every effort made to win possession back as high up the field as possible.
Aggie Beever-Jones (6/10:)
Came agonisingly close on a couple of occasions, with her clever glanced header hitting the top of the crossbar before then clipping the outside of the post with a half-volley from close range.
Sonia Bompastor (6/10):
Named another strong starting XI and will take heart from the fact that Chelsea improved slightly after making changes in the second half.