Chelsea 3-0 Everton: Reiten double earns convincing win

Chelsea quickly returned to the top of the Women’s Super League after a convincing 3-0 win over Everton at Kingsmeadow.

Guro Reiten scored twice from the spot before Erin Cuthbert added the third on a day where new signing Mayra Ramirez impressed on her full debut.

Victory took the Blues back three points clear of Manchester City, who had passed them on goal difference earlier on Sunday.

Record-breaking signing Ramirez, who arrived from Levante for a reported £427,000 last month, was involved right from the start.

The 24-year-old made her presence known with a physical challenge on an Everton defender before the striker almost capitalised on Reiten’s neat pass in behind.

Colombia international Ramirez’s bright start continued when she showed an electric burst of speed down the right and crossed into the area but Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan reacted quickly to save Nathalie Bjorn’s effort from six yards.

Chelsea’s persistence paid off when they won a 27th-minute penalty. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was caught late by Clare Wheeler before Reiten slotted her spot-kick into the left-hand corner.

Emma Hayes’ side looked to double their lead and the potent Reiten should have grabbed another. Lauren James found space out on the right before she whipped a perfect cross on to the head of Reiten who failed to hit the target from close range.

Chelsea came out of the blocks quickly in the second half and were denied a second goal by a last-ditch piece of defending.

A lofted through ball found James in behind the visitors’ defence and the winger rounded Brosnan before Toffees centre-back Justine Vanhaevermaet recovered in time, clearing James’ shot before it crossed the line.

Ramirez’s dominance continued in the second period. Chelsea’s focal point marauded down the right and picked out the unmarked Kaneyrd before the midfielder blazed her effort well over the crossbar.

Ramirez’s dazzling performance went up another level when she out muscled Aurora Galli once again, getting ahead of her marker before being brought down in the box. Referee Emily Heaslip pointed to the spot for the second time and Reiten converted once again in her preferred left-hand corner.

After Everton manager Brian Sorensen was shown a red card for dissent, Chelsea made it 3-0. Skipper Cuthbert darted into the box before her drilled shot fizzed past Brosnan.