Chelsea

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Player of the Match Lauren James speaking to BBC Two: "It's always tough playing against Manchester United. But with the fans behind us, we love playing here at Stamford Bridge. Our performance from the start today, you could tell everyone was up for it."

On her record at Stamford Bridge: "I really don't know the answer to that. I just really love scoring and helping the team to win."

On getting stick from the United fans: "Yes for sure [it was nice to silence them]. But for me I just have to focus on what I can do, silencing anyone who is hating as well. For me I just have to focus on myself and helping the team."

Brighton appear to have weathered that latest storm, with both sides looking tired now. Any more for any more?

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes speaking to BBC Two:

On the team performance: "I thought we were superb, particularly first half. I made some brave decisions today, starting at the back, and I think it paid off. We want to keep evolving as a team.

"I said to Paul Green before the game, 'I can't help it, I don't make safe choices.' I want to leave the team in the best place possible and keep developing the young players.

"The goal before half time came completely against the run of play, and it is going to make it a real game. But I think we deserved to win the game.

On her replacement: "Paul Green is leading that search, the team have shortlisted people, and they are making that decision. They have asked my opinion but I don't want to make that decision because I don't want someone ringing me up in a couple of years blaming me! No, the club have to make that decision and I have no doubt that they will select the right person."

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes speaking to BBC Two: "I am really happy with Lauren James' performance today, I really am. I thought the front two led the way for the team and I thought she was impressive on both sides of the ball.

On James: "Human beings are not simple. There are a lot of complexities involved with Lauren, but she is a genius footballer. I am happy for her. She wanted to demonstrate to the home fans that she could step forward, that she can do it as a ten, and a nine in the second half. Her hold up play is unbelievable.

On replacing Sam Kerr: "Everyone has to take turns in that. Lauren has done that today, Mia [Fishel] came on last week. There are a lot of young players out there that have to shoulder a lot of responsibility as the champions and they handled it superbly."

Manchester United

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner speaking to the BBC:

On the table and title race: "The reality is we just have to keep trying to win games of football. We have a tough week ahead, Man City in the cup and Villa next weekend, another tough game. For us, if you are playing catch up then do it to the very best of your ability.

"We've got ten points to close so we better run like we've got ten points to close. That is the energy we need. Don't lick your wounds, we ain't got time.

“We need to be very very clear that we have to hunt these ten points down, and by the end of it if we have gotten as close as we can then so be it. I can promise that we will be high energy, high commitment to closing the gap.

"However far we get there is a lot of reflecting for us to do as a club to be able to become a consistent title threat from here on out."

Manchester United

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner speaking to the BBC:

On Leah Galton's penalty claim: " I think that is a penalty [the Lawrence challenge on Galton]. We got two decisions last year against Chelsea that were not given, and that ended up meaning that we didn't win the title. That's a massive difference.

"In this game you have to be on your mettle as players, staff and as officials. There were moments in this game that I will reflect on and think maybe that's not correct.

"I think when you look at it, it is a penalty. She [Lawrence] manoeuvres Galton off the ball, she has already run across her line and the action is directly impacting her ability to play the ball. That for me is a penalty. I'm frustrated with that because it is the opportunity to make it 2-2."

Let's get some reaction to the early game, in which Chelsea beat Manchester United 3-1 with Lauren James scoring a hat-trick.

United manager Marc Skinner, in particular, had plenty to say...

Ahh, unlucky again. Jamie-Lee Napier cuts in from the City left, backs up the Brighton defence and hits a shot but it's charged down and loops up for an easy save in the end.

The visitors trail but look the more likely team to score at the moment.

Into the final half hour in Sussex and Bristol City continue to ask plenty of questions. Emily Syme whacks in a free-kick which is well blocked.

City are well on course for three points, and second place in the WSL table.

That was Khadija Shaw's 11th league goal of the season - she is now on her own as WSL top scorer this season, ahead of Lauren James' 10.

Laura Coombs is the latest on the firing range for City, shooting across Teagan Micah and just wide of the keeper's right post.

City's 10th shot of the afternoon, so far.

Khadija Shaw slides in to meet a Chloe Kelly cross and deflects the ball onto the crossbar.

She was well offside, so it wouldn't have counted anyway.

Khadija Shaw is up and walks off the pitch, she should be back with us soon.

Six added minutes are indicated, which City boss Gareth Taylor is visibly unhappy about.

So close! Nearly a sensational equaliser for Bristol City as Abi Harrison takes the ball out of the sky with one touch, before spinning and hitting a shot from the edge of the area which cannons off the post and away!

So unlucky...

Postpublished at 45 mins

45 mins

Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool

Liverpool make a rare foray forward and win a corner. It is hoisted high into a crowd, and while City get it clear, Khiara Keating inadvertently punches team mate Khadija Shaw.

The Jamaican needs treatment.

This is a big game at the bottom and there are some six-pointer style challenges coming in now, with City midfielder Amy Rodgers late on the goalscorer Elisabeth Terland and perhaps fortunate not to see a card.