Chelsea moved three points clear at the top of the Women’s Super League as a superb Lauren James strike helped the champions beat Bristol City 3-0 at Ashton Gate.

England forward James sent a stunning shot into the top corner to put the Blues ahead in the 17th minute.

Erin Cuthbert doubled the lead with a 34th-minute volley and Sam Kerr added a header just prior to the hour as Emma Hayes’ side, who ended with 10 players after Niamh Charles’ stoppage-time dismissal, took full advantage of Arsenal’s 1-0 loss at Tottenham on Saturday.

Chelsea go into the winter break three points clear of Arsenal and Manchester City, who moved up to second on goal difference with a 4-1 victory at Everton.

It was a return to winning ways for Hayes’ side after their 4-1 loss at Arsenal last weekend in which James was booked after appearing to stand on Lia Walti, with the 22-year-old subsequently being the target of online abuse.

She showed her supreme talent early on in this contest when she received Sophie Ingle’s pass midway into the Bristol City half, turned, burst forward and fired a wonderful shot past Olivia Clark from outside the box.

Chelsea’s second came in the 34th minute as Robins skipper Megan Connolly attempted to clear the ball, but her header fell to Cuthbert, who blasted it in.

Clark did well to thwart Kerr and Hannah Hampton, making her debut in the Chelsea goal, did likewise at the other end when a good chance fell to Ffion Morgan.

James was then inches away from another breathtaking goal in the 57th minute as she curled an effort against the bar.

And, two minutes later, Chelsea’s third did arrive as Kerr connected with Guro Reiten’s cross.

Amy Rodgers shot wide for the hosts before Cuthbert and Chelsea substitute Aggie Beever-Jones sent efforts off target

Bristol City had to replace Clark in the 89th minute with Benedicte Haaland, who saved another Beever-Jones shot, before a stoppage-time challenge by Charles earned her a second yellow card.