Lauren James inspired Chelsea to back‑to‑back victories after their Women's Super League title defence faltered with consecutive defeats a fortnight ago.

The England forward added to Sjoeke Nusken's strike as the third-placed Blues boosted their bid for a Champions League place, while dealing a blow to Liverpool's hopes of avoiding relegation.

Nusken claimed the 40th-minute opener when she ghosted into the box to tap home a James cross after she spun midfielder Alice Bergstrom in the build-up when the visitors failed to clear a corner.

Chelsea had already begun to increase the pressure in what had been a closely contested first half, with Erin Cuthbert and Keira Walsh having efforts blocked and James shooting wide.

Liverpool threatened too, with Ceri Holland lively before the break, and Cornelia Kapocs going close. Martha Thomas also forced a save after the interval, underlining the danger posed by Gareth Taylor's side.

But the quality of Chelsea, and indeed James, ultimately told. In the 65th minute, she collected a pass from Veerle Buurman, eased by Liverpool midfielder Fuka Nagano and drove a powerful strike past keeper Jennifer Falk at the near post.

Sonia Bompastor's side are a point behind second-placed Manchester United, but moved four clear of fourth-placed Arsenal, who have two games in hand after their match on Sunday at Brighton was postponed.

Liverpool are just a place and point above bottom club Leicester City, who have a game in hand.

It would be wrong to suggest all is well and harmonious at Chelsea despite an important win.

Only on Monday did their their head of women's football Paul Green leave the club in controversial circumstances after helping them deliver 19 trophies in 13 years - a period spanning all of Emma Hayes' tenure and Bompastor's first season in charge.

Before kick‑off, the 2,000‑member Kingsmeadow Supporters' Club - an offshoot of the main Chelsea Women fans' group - had organised a protest over the "treatment" of Green.

However, it was rained off, with transport issues also postponing a planned demonstration aimed at the sporting directors of the men's team, who ultimately oversee women's football operations.

Bompastor, who extended her contract until 2030, said: "We tried to focus on the game and I think we did well considering everything that happened this week.

"We showed a lot of character and I am proud of the players. I feel the support [from the CEO and sporting directors]. The fact they extended my contract in a period where we were not having good results - it means a lot."

There were still chants for Green in the 13th minute, with a representative of the new ownership group, Clearlake Capital, watching alongside board member Barbara Charone and women's team chief executive Aki Mandhar.

Those decision‑makers saw a team built by Green - notably featuring two of his major signings, James and Nusken - making the difference.

Germany international Nusken's situation remains intriguing as she made only her fourth WSL start and faces an uncertain future this summer.

Chelsea's discontent is, of course, relative.

While they are nine points behind WSL leaders Manchester City, they remain on track for a Champions League place next season and remain one of the best‑funded clubs.

Despite a 10th league loss of the campaign, Liverpool can still take encouragement from aspects of their performance.

They enjoyed long spells of possession, typical of teams under Manchester City‑schooled coach Taylor - and carried some threat in attack, albeit without the ruthlessness needed to breach the Chelsea backline.

While James was able to transform the match through individual brilliance, Liverpool could not find a player capable of producing the same.

But January signings, including goalkeeper Falk and midfielders Denise O'Sullivan and Bergstrom, showed promise - although Sweden international Bergstrom hurt her knee in a challenge with James.

Liverpool had won two of their previous three matches before travelling to Kingsmeadow, giving them hope in the fight to avoid relegation.

Boss Taylor said: "This is a journey where we need to improve transfer window by transfer window. We will be annoyed at what happened today as we gave a good account of ourselves but didn't execute in some moments in both boxes. We will reset really quickly.

"[Manchester] United, Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea is a category where you have to be really at it. I thought we did better than the United game as we played the way we wanted to play.

"We had control of large parts of the game. We were in control of the first half but disappointed to give the goal away, as Chelsea forced the goal. We were disappointed in the final action and we didn't trouble their goalkeeper Hannah Hampton enough."

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