ROYALS THUMPED BY LEADERS AS WINLESS RUN IS EXTENDED

Chelsea Women 5 Reading Women 0

READING FC Women are now seven games without a win in the Women’s Super League after Chelsea moved back to the top of the table.

The Royals defended resolutely but were eventually breached in the 40th minute by Jessie Fleming’s opener.

Chelsea added gloss to the scoreline with four more goals in the second-half to secure a comfortable win.

The result leaves Kelly Chambers’ side in eighth in the table with four games left to play

Chelsea had plenty of possession as expected in the opening 20 minutes but were frustrated by Reading’s tight defensive structure which limited them from creating any openings.

The defensive pressure was ramped up when Moloney did well to catch Bethany England’s powerful header before Tash Harding got in the way of another effort from England.

Reading’s resolve was eventually broken in the 40th minute when Fleming was allowed time to chest the ball down and fire a volley into the corner.

Emma Hayes’ side extended their lead early in the second-half when England ran onto Reiten’s cross and connected perfectly to place a volley past Moloney.

The Blues punished Bryson after she lost control and gave up possession far too easily which allowed Reiten to charge into the box and put the ball on a plate for Sam Kerr to finish.

Rose almost burst away to get through on goal but was thwarted by Chelsea keeper Zecira Musovic who beat her to the ball by a fraction of a second.

The Canadian international again provided a threat when she sprinted down the left only for a defender to clear her eventual cross.

Kerr found the back of the net for the second time when she was found free in the box and dispatched the ball into the corner.

England secured her brace in stoppage time when she slammed the ball home from the penalty spot to complete the scoring.