Reading have a chance to respond quickly as they win a corner on the left flank.

Fara Williams cuts the ball back to the edge of the area, where Jess Fishlock is waiting to tee herself up for a shot on goal.

The delivery doesn't have enough pace on it and is cut out before it can reach Fishlock.

The ball goes back to Williams but her cross is over-hit and goes behind.

Fara Williams does have a dig at the Chelsea goal in the end, but the ball drifts harmlessly wide.

Reading win a free-kick some 35 yards out as Guro Reiten catches Angharad James.

It's a bit far out to shoot, but it's a decent position for a set piece.

Another opening for the visitors, who get in behind the Reading defence again.

Fran Kirby sends a low ball across from the left and Sam Kerr's shot is blocked by the legs of Royals keeper Grace Moloney.

This time the offside flag is up against the Australia international.

Chelsea have a big chance to take the lead.

Melanie Leupolz wins the ball in the Reading half and feeds Fran Kirby.

The England international slips in Sam Kerr inside the box but the striker decides against taking an early shot.

The angle is against her and she tries to cut the ball back inside to Kirby, but a Reading player gets back and scrambles the ball behind for a corner.

Reading mount a decent move and work the ball up field.

Fara Williams tries to play the ball through to Natasha Harding but the striker had strayed offside.

It's been an even start to the game.

Reading get the game started at the Madejski Stadium.

Can Reading make it back-to-back wins or will Chelsea maintain their unbeaten start and cut the gap to leaders Manchester United?

Abigail Byrne is the referee this afternoon.

Image source, .

You can watch coverage of this game on the BBC Red Button, iPlayer and here on the BBC Sport website.

Simply click the play button above to see the match from the Madejski Stadium alongside our text offering.

Wales Women boss Jayne Ludlow is alongside commentator Paul Scott.

If you prefer audio only, there is also commentary from BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra available to choose.

Reading boss Kelly Chambers makes one from their 3-1 win at Brighton on 20 December, as Emma Mitchell replaces Molly Bartrip in defence.

Reading XI: Moloney, Leine, Cooper, Mitchell, Woodham, Eikeland, Fishlock, James, Williams, Harries, Harding.

Substitutes: Naylor (GK), Bartrip, Skeels, Roberts, Rowe, Bruton, Carter.

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes makes four changes from their last WSL outing, which was a 1-0 win at Brighton on 13 December.

Sophie Ingle, Niamh Charles and Guro Reiten come into the side.

A late change also sees Hannah Blundell replace Maren Mjelde in defence.

Chelsea XI: Berger, Blundell, Bright, Ingle, Andersson, Leupolz, Cuthbert, Kirby, Reiten, Charles, Kerr.

Substitutes: Telford (GK), Eriksson, J Fleming, Ji, Harder, England.

Image source, Getty Images

Hosts Reading start the year at the Madejski Stadium, home of the men's side.

The Royals are looking for back-to-back wins, having ended a six-match winless streak at Brighton last time out.

Kelly Chambers' squad start the day moored in mid-table, sitting seven points off the top three in sixth.

Reading have not won any of their previous eight WSL games against Chelsea, taking just two points from a possible 24 from those encounters.

Image source, Getty Images

Defending champions Chelsea have made an unbeaten start to the WSL campaign, but find themselves in third place and six points behind leaders Manchester United.

The Blues have played two fewer games than the Red Devils, so have a chance to make up some ground this afternoon.

Emma Hayes' side boast an impressive record heading into this game.

They have not lost in 29 league games - a run stretching back to January 2019 - and have won 10 of their past 11 games in all competitions.

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the first Women's Super League game of 2021.

The first round of fixtures following the winter break has been badly hit by coronavirus cases and an injury crisis, leading to five of the six games being postponed.

We are left with Reading against Chelsea, which promises to be an intriguing encounter - with the Blues looking to extend their unbeaten start to the campaign.

Kick-off is just 10 minutes away.

Image source, Getty Images