Chelsea ended their four-game winless streak in the Women's Super League with a comfortable 3-0 away victory against Brighton.

A stunning individual goal from Sandy Baltimore in the 42nd minute rewarded Chelsea's first-half dominance, before a Caitlin Hayes own-goal and an Alyssa Thompson strike put the game beyond Brighton.

Chelsea came into the match following a first WSL defeat in 34 games and three consecutive draws before that, leaving the defending champions six points behind league leaders Manchester City.

Brighton goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley - standing in for Chiamaka Nnadozie who had a concussion - frustrated Chelsea by tipping a Baltimore volley over the crossbar before blocking Thompson's diving header, while Keira Walsh hit the post with a long-range drive.

But French winger Baltimore showed her quality when she drove forwards on the left flank, cut inside past a defender and curled a right-footed shot into the far top corner.

Sonia Bompastor brought on Sam Kerr at the break and the Australian striker had a near-instant impact - it was her lurking presence in the box that left Brighton defender Hayes with no choice but to head into her own goal from a driven Erin Cuthbert cross.

Chelsea looked their old selves from that point on as Wieke Kaptein then Kerr forced Baggaley into smart saves in quick succession.

Brighton boss Dario Vidosic brought on former Chelsea forward Fran Kirby in the second half, but the hosts could not find a way back into the contest.

Thompson wrapped up victory in the 73rd minute by converting first-time from Kerr's low cross, her third goal in her past four WSL outings.

Chelsea leapfrog Arsenal into second place in the table but remain six points behind leaders Manchester City, who beat Aston Villa 6-1 on Sunday. Brighton remain seventh with 14 points.

Are Chelsea back? With a month until their next WSL game, it was important they showed the kind of quality and ruthlessness that saw them win six consecutive league titles and complete last season unbeaten.

Earlier this week Bompastor said she did not feel her switch to a back four had caused Chelsea's dip in attacking output, but on Sunday she reverted to the three defender and wing-backs system Chelsea began the season with.

Wing-backs Ellie Carpenter and Baltimore were constant threats on either side, even if it did take their team-mates a while to find the right passes to feed their runs.

Wayward finishing and sloppy final balls cost Chelsea goals early on, but Baltimore's moment of brilliance meant the visitors weren't under pressure to score after the break.

That seemed to have a freeing effect, as Chelsea attacked with greater fluidity and efficiency thereafter.

Kerr's introduction at the start of the second half gave Chelsea a focal point and presence that Aggie Beever-Jones didn't offer - her failure to gamble on Lauren James' early low cross was a case in point.

Brighton had Baggaley's six saves to thank for keeping the score respectable, though they did spurn a couple of half-chances on the break when Chelsea left bodies up the field. That's something for Bompastor to try and snuff out.

Brighton's next game is after the winter break, when they will face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday, 11 January (12:00 GMT). Chelsea will travel to Germany on Wednesday, 17 December to take on Wolfsburg in the Women's Champions League (20:00 GMT).

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