SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 59 mins
Reading 0-4 Chelsea
Change for Reading as Rachel Rowe replaces Fara Williams in midfield.
Summary
Kirby scores four as Chelsea thump Reading
Champions three points behind leaders Man Utd with game in hand
Only WSL game of weekend after five called off
Tottenham v Birmingham, Everton v Man Utd & Bristol City v Brighton off
Aston Villa v Arsenal & Man City v West Ham postponed on Saturday
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 59 mins
Postpublished at 57 mins
Reading 0-4 Chelsea
What a performance this is by Chelsea.
The defending champions are underlining their title credentials.
Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby have caused the Reading defence no end of problems today.
And the quality of Ji So-Yun, Bethany England and Pernille Harder are all watching on from the Blues bench.
GOAL: Reading 0-4 Chelseapublished at 53 mins
Fran Kirby (fourth for Kirby)
I initially wrote this headline as Reading 0-4 Fran Kirby.
I might have well have left it as it was, as this is the Fran Kirby show.
This one is a header from a corner, as Guro Reiten flights her delivery from the left to the corner of the six-yard box.
Kirby isn't one of the tallest on the pitch by any stretch of the imagination, but out-jumps her marker and glances a header across goal and into the side-netting.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 51 mins
Reading 0-3 Chelsea
This time Fran Kirby turns provider.
She digs out a cross from the right-hand side of the box and Sam Kerr nods wide at the far post.
Chelsea are continuing to create chances.
Postpublished at 50 mins
Reading 0-3 Chelsea
Fran Kirby bears down on goal and it looks like it'll mean a fourth goal.
But a slightly heavy touch allows Jess Fishlock to slide in and turn the ball behind for a corner.
Postpublished at 48 mins
Reading 0-3 Chelsea
Reading start the half with a decent bit of possession.
They spread the ball to the left, but then the final ball is lacking.
This time it's a clever reverse pass into the box from Lauren Bruton - who came on as a half-time substitutes - but no-one is able to get on the end of it.
Blues keeper Ann-Katrin Berger mops up the danger.
KICK-OFFpublished at 15:04 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2021
Reading 0-3 Chelsea
Chelsea get the second half under way.
Reading have a mountain to climb if they want to get back into the game.
The visitors look set to extend their unbeaten run in the WSL to 30 games.
Worth noting that Reading keeper Grace Moloney was booked for her protests about Chelsea's third goal right at the end of the first half.
Follow the FA Cup third roundpublished at 14:55 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2021
#bbcfootball
If you're hungry for more football, then the men's FA Cup third round action is continuing today.
League Two club Crawley Town are on their way to a big upset.
The Reds are leading Premier League Leeds United 2-0 with just over 20 minutes remaining.
HALF-TIMEpublished at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2021
Reading 0-3 Chelsea
Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea are in complete control a the break, and Fran Kirby is back on song.
She completed a first-half hat-trick against her former side in added time.
GOAL: Reading 0-3 Chelseapublished at 45+2 mins
Fran Kirby (hat-trick)
Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea work a decent set-piece move and grab their third of the game.
Erin Cuthbert clips the ball behind the Royals defence, who were holding a high line.
The ball looks like it might drift behind but Sam Kerr hooks it back into play from the by-line and Fran Kirby is on hand to head home from six yards out.
Reading goalkeeper Grace Moloney protests the ball went behind, but to no avail.
Right foot, left foot and now a header - it's a perfect hat-trick for Kirby!
YELLOW CARDpublished at 45+1 mins
Reading 0-2 Chelsea
First booking of the match, and Reading midfielder Fara Williams in the recipient for a sliding challenge on Guro Reiten about 30 yards out.
A decent position for Chelsea at the end of the first half.
Postpublished at 42 mins
Reading 0-2 Chelsea
Flowing move from Chelsea.
Sophie Ingle spreads the ball out wide to Niamh Charles, who does well to keep the ball in on the right hand side.
Charles cuts inside into the box and pulls the ball back to Fran Kirby, but she can't get a shot away.
Charles does fire in a low effort which hits team-mate Sam Kerr. And the offside flag spares Reading any more trouble on this occasion.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 39 mins
Reading 0-2 Chelsea
Almost an opening for Reading as Jess Fishlock gets the ball inside the Chelsea box.
She looks to square the ball but her pass is overhit and evades a supporting team-mate.
It's not happening for the Royals in the final third this afternoon.
Postpublished at 38 mins
Reading 0-2 Chelsea
Great ball into the box from Chelsea left-back Jonna Andersson which goes to the back post.
Reading left-back Lily Woodham gets there ahead of Niamh Charles and snuffs out the danger.
Postpublished at 36 mins
Reading 0-2 Chelsea
A last-ditch clearance from Emma Mitchell denies Fran Kirby and Chelsea a third goal.
A long ball over the top sets Sam Kerr free behind the Reading defence.
She gets into the box and unselfishly looks to tee Kirby up for a tap-in.
But Mitchell gets back to clear the ball just in time.
Postpublished at 33 mins
Reading 0-2 Chelsea
Image source, Getty ImagesAs things stand, Chelsea are going to move up to second in the WSL and three points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand.
The Blues host the Red Devils next Sunday. What a game that promises to be.
Postpublished at 28 mins
Reading 0-2 Chelsea
Reading threaten to pull one back with an opportunistic attempt on goal.
From a ball forward, Natsha Harding sees Chelsea keeper Ann-Katrin Berger off her line.
Harding sends a half-volley towards goal from all of 40 yards out, but sees her effort bounce yards wide.
Postpublished at 26 mins
Reading 0-2 Chelsea
That's now five goals in the WSL this season for Fran Kirby.
After her injury and illness problems, the striker looks like she is getting back to her best.
GOAL: Reading 0-2 Chelseapublished at 23 mins
Fran Kirby
Seconds later, Fran Kirby is not to be denied.
Kirby pounces on a loose pass from Reading centre-back Emma Mitchell and drives forward toward goal.
She advances into the box, holds off Mitchell before turning the ball past Royals keeper Grace Moloney to grab her second goal of the game.
Chelsea punish the hosts for the defensive error and are in control now.
Image source, Getty ImagesHITS THE WOODWORKpublished at 23 mins
Reading 0-1 Chelsea
Almost a sensational second for Chelsea but Fran Kirby sees her long-range shot come back off the post!
Receiving the ball with her back to goal, Kirby turns and moves to the edge of the box before seeing her right-footed shot curl onto the right-hand upright and away.