Impressive Chelsea ease past PSG in Champions League

Chelsea 3-0 PSG

Lauren James scored twice as Chelsea clinched top spot in their Champions League group with a 3-0 win over Paris St Germain in front of 10,129 at Stamford Bridge.

Emma Hayes' unbeaten side had already qualified for the knockout phase and simply needed to avoid defeat to their French opponents by two or more goals to lock up their position.

Sam Kerr opened the scoring late in a close-fought first half, which saw the sides enjoy an even split of possession.

But the momentum shifted in the hosts' favour after the restart when James, who had threatened throughout the opening period, netted two in seven minutes to hand her side the comfortable victory.

The Blues' final group-stage match marked the first time since 2016 that Chelsea had taken on European competition at the Premier League venue.

Sandy Baltimore fired PSG's first chance wide of the right post and Kadeisha Buchanan did well to prevent Kadidiatou Diani from converting an aggressive run down the left channel into any real opportunity.

Moments later, Diani nearly handed the visitors the lead when she unleashed an effort from distance but caught the crossbar.

Chelsea worked their way back up the pitch, Fran Kirby chasing the ball down down at the byline and sending a cross to the far post in the direction of James, who stuck out her right leg but could not get a foot on it to force in an opener.

The Blues started to settle in and James deftly dodged several PSG shirts before bouncing a shot in the direction of a diving Sarah Bouhaddi at the near post.

James tried again, winning a battle with her marker on the left of the area before charging in and rolling an attempt across the face of goal.

A goalless first half looked increasingly likely until the ball skipped