What a cracker of a game and a fantastic advert for the WSL!

The second half may not have provided us with the goalfest we were greeted with in the opening 45 minutes, but Chelsea's quality shined through on a chilly Yorkshire night as they protected their lead.

Doncaster, to their credit, offered an early response and were rewarded when Claire Rafferty's own goal cancelled out Karen Carney's early penalty.

Goals from Beth England and Katie Chapman put the game to bed prior to the break while Eni Aluko's superb late finish wrapped up a fine display for the visitors.

Chelsea will feel this result makes quite the marker on their title rivals while Doncaster will look to bounce back from consecutive defeats when they face Birmingham City Ladies next week.

For now however, thank you very much for joining us. Goodnight!

Doncaster manager Glen Harris told BT Sport:

"They have got quality in their side and they showed that as they did on Sunday.

"I'm really pleased with my girls, particularly in the second half when we could have capitulated but they showed great resilience and character.

"They have learned what WSL 1 is all about in the last two games and there's lots of lessons to be learned but lots of positives going into the next game."

Chelsea Ladies' Katie Chapman told BT Sport:

"It's important for us to get off to a good start. Teams are going to want to beat us and it's important for us to show our standards, which is what we did tonight.

"It was nice to score and come away with a 4-1 win. I like the challenge, I'm coming in winning a title and teams want to make it hard for us.

"We've strengthened our squad this season and I think we have depth and we can change the game which we proved tonight."

Ji So Yun tries a cheeky backwards flick from close range late on but can't find the net with what would have been Chelsea's fifth of the evening.

Ultimately, the visitors' quality prevailed and their title defence begins with a thumping victory during an entertaining 90 minutes against Doncaster.

We finish with the same scoreline as Sunday's FA Cup tie and Chelsea are top of WSL 1 as it stands.

Fran Kirby goes down in the box after Leandra Little catches her with her knee in a challenge for the ball.

The Chelsea forward looks in a bit of discomfort.

A final roll of the dice from Doncaster. Becky Easton is hauled off in place of Yasmin Mosby.

Ji So Yun hesitates for a moment before taking her free kick from around 20 yards out but finally launches it into the box, but Donny's Leandra Little and Becky Easton conspire to clear the danger.

Chelsea's Fran Kirby does well to round her marker and tries to play a neat ball into the box but it runs out of play.

Just over ten minutes to go and Doncaster look out of this.

Chelsea make their third and final change of the night with Jade Bailey coming on for Beth England.

Owen Phillips
BBC Sport Online

Chelsea defender Gilly Flaherty could well have been replaced there to save her getting a needless red card. She looked pretty furious after a couple of strong challenges.

Both sides are steaming into tackles now and Niamh Fahey could easily have been sent off for a lunging tackle on Donny's Kasia Lipka.

The home fans had no doubt it was a red. This is impressive stuff from Doncaster. They were outplayed in the first half but are really giving it a good go now.

Some fresh legs for Doncaster. Rachel Newborough comes on for Samantha Tierney.

20 minutes to go for the Belles to find a response.

Gemma Davison fires on goal from long range but the ball deflects off Leandra Little and Chelsea win a corner.

Ji So Yun latches onto the set piece that follows and almost scores with a fantastic low volley, but Sophie Barker spares the hosts' blushes with a superb clearance off the line after Nicola Hobbs got a knee to it.

Niamh Fahey receives a yellow card for a poor challenge on Doncaster's Kasia Lipka.

Image source, The FA

A double change for Chelsea as goalscorer Karen Carney comes off for Fran Kirby while Gemma Davison replaces Gilly Flaherty.

This time it's Doncaster's turn to knock the ball around with aplomb. Jess Sigsworth mazes down the left-wing and plays in to Natasha Dowie who leaves it to Sam Tierney but the ball evades her.

Golden chance to get back in it for the hosts. How costly will that be?

Doncaster launch a free kick into the box but Chelsea win possession and run rings around the Belles, stringing together passes with ease.

Chelsea look very comfortable and you have to say, Doncaster need a goal soon if they are to steal at least a point.

Katie Chapman and Natasha Dowie tangle in midfield and somehow the referee doesn't give a free kick to the hosts.

It's been a quiet few minutes as we begin the second half but there could be more goals in this one.

There are two WSL2 fixtures taking place as well tonight.

Everton are currently 1-1 with Aston Villa Ladies at half time while Oxford United and Millwall have just kicked off, after the Lionesses were stuck in bank holiday traffic.

Owen Phillips
BBC Sport Online

Chelsea's threat has come all over the pitch so far. And while it's wingers Karen Carney and Beth England who have posed the main danger, Hannah Blundell (pictured below) has really impressed bombing on from right full-back.

She's covered a frightening amount of ground so far. 

Image source, The FA