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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>James scored superb treble for Chelsea vs United</li><li>Played 40 games for United</li><li>Blues move three points clear at top</li></ul>

WATCH: Lauren James silences Man Utd! Lionesses star celebrates in front of feisty travelling supporters after firing past Mary Earps twice to put Chelsea 2-0 up at Stamford Bridge in huge WSL clash

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<p>With Chelsea putting huge pressure on the United goal in the first five minutes, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd found James in space who, with the outside of her boot and via a deflection, fired past Mary Earps. The former United player tore behind the goal in the direction of the travelling United fans, celebrating in front of the away end. James had been targeted by boos, but the forward was clearly been fired up by the jeers as she doubled Chelsea's advantage in the 23rd minute. She went on to complete her hat-trick as Chelsea <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/chelsea-women-player-ratings-vs-man-utd-lauren-james/blt6204db93f58cbde8" target="_blank">sealed an impressive 3-1 victory</a> to move three points clear at the top of the WSL table.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A fantastic finish by Lauren James 🤩<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BarclaysWSL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BarclaysWSL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFCW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChelseaFCW</a> <a href="https://t.co/jqrdUxfvFj">pic.twitter.com/jqrdUxfvFj</a></p>— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarclaysWSL/status/1749049673170477301?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A brilliant run and strike from Lauren James 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BarclaysWSL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BarclaysWSL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFCW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChelseaFCW</a> <a href="https://t.co/gYavlAiB90">pic.twitter.com/gYavlAiB90</a></p>— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarclaysWSL/status/1749053773375238171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WATCH THE CLIP

<p>James played 40 games and scored an impressive 22 goals for United between 2018 and 2021 before earning a move to the capital. Since joining Chelsea, James has become a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/best-player-world-england-lauren-james-women-world-cup/blt7e1fa9c8099d63ab" target="_blank">global star following a flurry of goals at last year's World Cup</a> and is looking to fire Chelsea to a fifth WSL title in a row.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The Blues will <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/sam-kerr-season-over-huge-blow-for-chelsea-star-player-acl-injury-blow-training-camp-morocco/blt836342f89a933560" target="_blank">be without Sam Kerr for the rest of the season</a>, but James is stepping up in her absence to be the club's key player. Chelsea will look to keep up their momentum when they turn their attention to the Champions League and a huge group stage fixture against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR JAMES AND CHELSEA?

WATCH: Lauren James silences Man Utd! Lionesses star celebrates in front of feisty travelling supporters after firing past Mary Earps to put Chelsea 1-0 up at Stamford Bridge in huge WSL clash | Goal.com

Lauren James celebrated putting Chelsea 1-0 up against her former club, Manchester United, by running to and goading the travelling support.