Chelsea win to seal place in Women’s Champions League

Lauren James netted a double and Sam Kerr made history as Chelsea cruised to a 3-1 victory at Leicester City to guarantee Women’s Champions League football for next season.

The second-placed Blues took control early on and went ahead after 13 minutes when Niamh Charles’ cross was headed home at the far post by the clinical Australian international.

That goal marked Kerr’s 64th in the Women’s Super League, moving her past Fran Kirby to become Chelsea’s all-time record goalscorer in the competition.

Against a struggling Leicester side, James (pictured) doubled the advantage in the 27th minute with a piece of individual magic, firing a “no-look” strike into the corner from the edge of the box.

The England star was at it again just six minutes later, lifting a clever free-kick over the wall and in off the crossbar to make it 3-0.

Leicester, who are headed for a relegation play-off, pulled a goal back through Shannon O’Brien following an error by Lucy Bronze, but they never truly threatened a comeback.

Eyes on the cup

With a Women’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City looming next Sunday, Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor opted to make several second-half changes—including withdrawing James—to manage the squad’s workload.

While the visitors were less fluid in the closing stages, they remained comfortably in charge to see out the win.

Although the league title is now mathematically out of reach with one game remaining, Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday means Chelsea are now certain of a top-three finish and a place in Europe.