Chelsea Ladies close to title after crucial win

Claire Rafferty and Gilly Flaherty scored as Chelsea Ladies beat Notts County 2-1 to move a step closer to being crowned champions.

Rafferty, who later went off after picking up a knock, opened the scoring by heading home Hannah Blundell’s right-wing cross.

Flaherty’s fine strike made it 2-0 early in the second half before Jess Clarke pulled a goal back for the visitors when her low shot squirmed past keeper Hedvig Lindahl.

But Chelsea were worthy victors and would have won by a greater margin had Notts keeper Carly Telford not produced a number of saves, including a late stop to deny Eniola Aluko.

The result took Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea five points clear of second-placed Arsenal with two matches left to play.

Sunderland will move into second place and within three points of Emma Hayes’ side if they beat Manchester City this evening.