Kirby scores hat-trick in Chelsea Ladies win

Fran Kirby scored a hat-trick in 10 second-half minutes as Chelsea Ladies thrashed Millwall Lionesses 6-0 in the Continental Cup.

Laura Coombs scored twice and missed a penalty, and Ji So-Yun also netted in an emphatic win for Emma Hayes’ side at Staines.

Ji opened the scoring with a close-range finish and Coombs added the second before shooting wide from the penalty spot shortly before half-time following a foul on Ana Borges.

England striker Kirby was denied by a fine save and a goal-line clearance before eventually making it 3-0 after Gemma Davison pulled the ball back from the right.

Davison was also the provider for Kirby’s second goal and she quickly added her third to make it 5-0.

The hosts weren’t finished there – Coombs atoned for her earlier miss by scoring with a penalty after Kirby was fouled.

Hayes’ team play in the same competition on Sunday when they face London Bees, again at Staines.

Their next league match is at home to Notts County on 6 September.

They are currently three points clear at the top of Women’s Super League 1 with three matches left to play.