With the Blues having dominated the first half but with nothing to show for it at Kingsmeadow, it would be Everton who took the lead six minutes into the second half through Kelly Gago.

But, the visitors' lead lasted only 11 minutes as Mayra Ramirez netted the equaliser in the 62nd minute before James fired a strike into the bottom corner in the 93rd winner to ensure Sonia Bompastor's side all three points.

The comeback win against Everton means the Blues remain seven points clear at the top of the WSL table, with our unbeaten run across all competitions now standing at 24 matches.

Changes made

Bompastor made three changes to the XI who started against the same opposition in the FA Cup last weekend, with Maelys Mpome making her first WSL start, while Sjoeke Nusken and Sandy Baltimore returned.

It took for there to be nine minutes on the clock before any meaningful chance was created and it was the home side who went close first. Catarina Macario swung in a deep corner, finding Keira Walsh who sent the ball back into a dangerous position in the box. It was met by James, with the Blues insisting it had crossed the line before Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan got her hands on it.

We went close again soon after and this time James turned creator. The England international clipped a ball to the back post, but with only the slightest of touches needed, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd couldn't connect with it.

A long ball forward picked out Macario who linked up with Ramirez, before the former saw her shot in the box blocked by one of the many Everton shirts crowding her.

A great move saw defender Mpome find Lawrence who showed no hesitation to then play Rytting Kaneryd down the right flank. She sent the ball into the box with Nusken having a shot blocked by the visiting defence.

Visitors take lead early in the second half

It remained goalless at half-time, with James registering the first shot of the second half as she looked to break the deadlock with a shot from distance, but her strike from outside of the box sailed over the bar.

But, it was the visitors who took the lead only moments later in the 51st minute. After the Toffees won possession in midfield, Toni Payne then played Gago out wide down the left and she fired it into the back of the net for 1-0.

Gago had a chance to make it two when she burst into the box, but before unleashing a strike, brave goalkeeping from Hannah Hampton saw the England international claim the ball at the Everton's forward feet.

Things were soon level though as a composed Ramirez - who netted against the Merseyside club in the FA Cup last week - took a touch and buried the ball into the bottom corner from the right side of the penalty area after being picked out by Rytting Kaneryd.

And there was an opportunity for a Ramirez brace as the Blues looked to take the lead. Following a short corner, the ball was worked into the box and fell to the feet of the forward who fired a shot just wide of the post.

We went even closer moments later as the home side continued to apply pressure on Everton as substitute Aggie Beever-Jones saw her head from a couple of yards our come back off the crossbar, connecting with a Baltimore cross.

Beever-Jones had another chance in the dying stages to net the winner. The ball was flicked onto the forward at the back post from a corner, but this time, her effort dropped just wide of the post.

And the pressure finally paid off as James scored her first goal since September in fantastic fashion. She received the ball from Baltimore from 20 yards out before firing it into the bottom corner beyond an outstretched Brosnan.

What it means

We remain top of the WSL table with 40 points after 14 games played. Bompastor's side are seven points clear of second-placed Manchester United.

What next

The Blues will now go their separate ways to meet up with their respective nations for the international break. Chelsea return to action in the WSL with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday 2 March.

The teams

Chelsea: Hampton; Lawrence (Bronze 51), Bright, Mpome (Charles72), Baltimore, Nusken (Kaptein 55), Walsh, Rytting Kaneryd (Beever-Jones 72), Macario (Hamano 51), James, Ramirez
Unused subs: Cox, Bjorn, Jean-Francois, Reiten
Scorer: Ramirez 62, James 90+3

Everton: Brosnan; H Payne (Lawley 73), Mjelde, Fernandez, S Holmgaard, Stenevik (Hope 73), Ladd (Vanhaevermaet 46), Hayashi, Gago (Watson 90+3), Snoeijs (K Holmgaard 73), T Payne
Unused subs: Ramsey, Sarri, Olesen
Scorer: Gago 51
Booked: Stenevik 42, Mjelde 57, Brosnan 90+3