Chelsea Ladies put one hand on the league title as they regained top spot in WSL with a convincing 4-0 win away to Liverpool Ladies.

Chelsea were briefly knocked off top spot as Manchester City ladies defeated Bristol Academy earlier in the day to leapfrog them at the top of the table but they made easy work of a Liverpool side who despite starting brightly who continue to be ravaged by injury.

Liverpool were playing for their outgoing manager Matt Beard before he headed to America to take over the Boston Breakers and created the games first chance when Line Smorsgard hit the the keeper with a tame shot after being put through. Eniola Aluko failed to capitalize on a Liverpool defensive effort with goalkeeper Libby Stout making an excellent save.

It was a game of ruthless finishing as Liverpool were twice denied by the woodwork moments before Chelsea took the lead on 29 minutes. Former Liverpool winger Gemma Davison raced down the right and whipped in a superb cross to Ji So-Yun who took a brilliant touch and fired into emphatically into the roof of the net from close range.

Liverpool almost had a quick response as Kaite Zelem let fly from 30 yards forcing Lindahl in the Chelsea goal to tip her shot over the bar. The missed chance was punished again as Chelsea made it 2-0 on 40 minutes as Aluko ran down the right and cut back from the byline to present Fran Kirby with a tap in at the far post.

In the second half Chelsea effectively ended the tie on 54 minutes when Murray was caught in possession and Aluko capitalised finishing past the helpless Stout having raced into the penalty area. One positive moment for Liverpool in the second half was Oshoala’s return to the team after a long term injury but it was Chelsea who would confirm victory on 78 minutes when Ji added her second thanks to more great play down the right from Davison who pulled it back for Ji to finish.

The title will be decided next Sunday with Chelsea at home to Sunderland whilst Manchester City are at home to Notts County.

Liverpool Ladies: Stout, Harris, Bonner, Omarsdottir, Dowie, Smorgard (Oshoala 77), White, Ryland (Pacheco 46), Zelem, Staniforth (Hodson 64), Murray.

Substitutes not used: Darbyshire, Easton.

Chelsea Ladies: Lindahl, Blundell, Flaherty, Fahey, Davison, Aluko (Borges 71), Ji, Rafferty, Kirby, Chapman (Bright 57), Spence (Coombs 74).

Substitutes not used: Hourihan, Ayane.

Attendance: 1,013