Women’s Super League: Chelsea close in on Manchester United as Arsenal boost Champions League hopes | OneFootball

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ernille Harder bagged a brace as Chelsea moved a point behind Women’s Super League leaders Manchester United with a 6-0 thrashing of Leicester.

Emma Hayes’ reigning WSL champions, who face United at Wembley on Sunday, took control of the contest courtesy of Guro Reiten’s eighth-minute finish and Erin Cuthbert’s 50th goal for the club.

Harder’s second double in as many games - following a brace in Sunday’s 7-0 thrashing over Everton - put the result doubt before the break.

Lauren James stretched the Blues’ advantage with a stunning solo goal in the 56th minute before Jelena Cankovic completed the scoring in added time with another spectacular strike.

Second-placed Chelsea, who have won four league matches in a row, have a game in hand on title rivals United and an identical goal difference.

Relegation-threatened Leicester - thumped 8-0 at home by the Blues in December - remain two points above bottom club Reading with two games to go following their 15th defeat of a difficult campaign.

Arsenal boosted their hopes of Champions League qualification by climbing to third after Stina Blackstenius’ early brace helped them record a 4-0 success over Brighton.

Sweden forward Blackstenius struck in the sixth and eighth minutes to set the visitors on course for a comfortable victory.