Lauren James made clear that Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Arsenal on Friday evening was a revenge mission effectively accomplished.
The England starlet put on a phenomenal display against the Gunners at Stamford Bridge, opening the scoring with a deft show of individual brilliance. James, deployed in the No.9 position due to the swathe of injuries plaguing Emma Hayes’ side, proved impossible for Arsenal's defence to temper and was instrumental in the hosts’ triumph as they remained top of the Women’s Super League table.
Where the Blues executed one of their most comprehensive performances of the season, Arsenal put in one of their worst, looking disjointed and uninspired throughout the contest to leave their title hopes in tatters.
The display was in stark contrast to that of the reverse fixture in December, after which Hayes described the reigning league champions as being “bullied” by Jonas Eidevall and co.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” James told the club website. “A win against any team always feels amazing, especially at Stamford Bridge and even more so in a London derby, especially after what happened in December.
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“It just pumped us up a little bit more. You’re coming to our house and it’s not going to be easy. It was a nice feeling today to go out there and show what we’re about. Everyone worked very hard and it showed on the pitch – everyone was up for it. With the early goals in the first half, we knew Arsenal would be back out in the second half to try and get goals back. We had to stay focused.”
Following the 4-1 thrashing at the Emirates Stadium, James was the victim of racial abuse online after the forward put in a late, high challenge on Arsenal's Lia Walti which earned her a yellow card.
Lauren James celebrates scoring Chelsea's first goal against Arsenal (Photo by Harriet Lander - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Hayes condemned the “disgusting” abuse, which left James “not in a great place”.
“Some of the language that I've seen used to vilify her externally is unacceptable,” Hayes said in December. "I don't see the same level of abuse attributed to other players in the league who might have had their own challenging moments. And it's fair to say that if I'm in her position, I'd be thinking that there is racial profiling going on.
"I think it's important for the country to recognise that she is an important talent and that she is learning all the time.”
James returned to the competitive fray scoring four goals in her next two WSL appearances, including a hat-trick against Manchester United. After Friday evening’s evisceration of Arsenal, James said she felt “free” in her play, a potential warning to the rest of the league and those teams in Europe, with the quadruple still up for grabs.
“Everyone was watching us tonight and waiting for us to slip up. To keep the top three on their toes is good. I think with the fans it’s an amazing atmosphere and I just feel free.”
Chelsea return to action on Tuesday as they travel to Ajax in the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals.
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