Kelly Somers believes Manchester City need to show their title credentials in Sunday's showdown with Women's Super League champs Chelsea. 

Gareth Taylor's side claimed a 2-0 win at West Ham in their season opener while the Blues defeated Tottenham 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

And Somers claims the hardest test of them all — on paper, at least — is where the Citizens need to make a big statement.

Speaking exclusively to LiveScore, the BBC Sport presenter said: "This game is where we learn a lot more about City. 

"Chelsea are going to be a lot better than they were against Spurs. They weren't convincing but still got the job done.

"So City will need to take their chances — like they did against West Ham.

"It's going to be very tight. If City are serious about their title challenge, I'm not saying they need to win, but they need to push Chelsea all the way."

Missing piece

City were active in the summer transfer window, adding ex-Arsenal ace Jill Roord to a talented squad boasting the likes of Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood, Chloe Kelly and last season's Golden Boot winner Khadija Shaw.

Netherlands international Roord, 26, scored on her debut against the Hammers and Somers thinks she could be key in taking Taylor's side to a higher level this term.

She added: "I really like City's business in general. They had a summer of stability and now have a settled side.

"It's really good they didn't have to make wholesale changes and players wanted to stay.

"We saw glimpses of what City can do last season and now they have Jill, who is still young and comes with so much WSL know-how.

"Jill is a key player for the Netherlands and I feel a player of her calibre is what City were missing after losing experienced heads in recent windows.

"She will be really excited by the attackers in front of her, so this is the season where the manager has to make it all click.

"City have one of the best forward lines in the world and they need to be challenging for titles."

Living the dream

One player City and Taylor will be wary of is Lauren James, who like Roord scored on the opening weekend to help seal Chelsea's win over Spurs.

The Lionesses star, 22, bagged three goals at the World Cup and Somers believes the WSL is a better product with players like her weaving magic on a weekly basis.

She said: "I watch Lauren and just think she's living the dream. She's brilliant for the game because there will be a lot of youngsters on the playground pretending to be her.

"Lauren played at Stamford Bridge last Sunday and was trying audacious flicks — football and the WSL is better with players like her.

"Emma Hayes will continue to drive her on and Lauren is at the best club for her development.

"If she's managed correctly, the sky's the limit."