Manchester United's slim hopes of challenging for the Women's Super League title in the second half of the season have likely already been extinguished after Marc Skinner's side suffered a 3-1 defeat at leaders Chelsea that leaves them 10 points adrift of the Blues.
In their first league game since the winter break, United made a slow start, and were 2-0 down inside the opening quarter of the game after Lauren James netted twice; first with a deflected effort from a tight angle before running onto a long ball over the top to score her second.
United did eventually spark themselves into life, and after Geyse and Lucia Garcia forced Hannah Hampton into saves, Hayley Ladd pulled one back shortly before half-time after Ashley Lawrence blocked Garcia's effort.
The visitors' resurgence continued into the second half as Ella Toone, Garcia and Ladd all came close to equalising, before James settled matters with her third of the afternoon against her former club, leaving Skinner with more questions to answer as calls for him to be sacked grow louder.
GOAL rates United's players from Stamford Bridge...