Reiten opened the scoring inside the opening half an hour, converting from the spot after Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was adjudged by referee Emily Heaslip to have been fouled.

The Norwegian international repeated the trick from 12 yards to double our lead in the second period. January signing Mayra Ramirez won the spot kick after being brought down by Clare Wheeler.

Further gloss was soon added to the scoreline – and in some style. An excellent passing move that involved substitutes Sjoeke Nusken, Fran Kirby, and Mia Fishel ended with captain Cuthbert firing home our third and final goal of the evening.

Building an advantage

Emma Hayes made ten changes to the side which began our previous outing against Paris FC in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Ashley Lawrence was the only surviving member for the visit of Everton, the first of four consecutive home matches across three different competitions.

It was a lively start at Kingsmeadow and almost a dream start for Ramirez on her full debut. The Colombian latched onto an inviting through ball from Reiten, dragged the ball inside, and was only thwarted by a last-ditch recovery tackle.

Ramirez continued to cause problems and, in the 20th minute, she drove to byline before firing the ball across the face of goal. Reiten controlled at the back post and unleashed an effort that was scrambled off the line.

We broke the deadlock courtesy of a penalty kick awarded for a foul on Rytting Kaneryd just before the half-hour mark. Reiten took responsibility and converted calmly into the bottom corner.

With half-time approaching, Reiten came close to doubling her tally. Lauren James delivered a wonderfully weighted pass towards the far post for the Norwegian, who guided the ball wide of the mark with an outstretched left boot.

Extending the lead

Chelsea held a narrow advantage at the interval, but more work was needed after the restart to make the game safe.

Efforts on goal in quick succession from Melanie Leupolz didn't threaten the Everton goal before Ramirez again fashioned an excellent opportunity for Rytting Kaneryd, yet she could only blaze over from inside the penalty area.

James had been on the periphery in the early stages of the second half but was then presented with a clear opportunity after a raking pass forward from the impressive Nathalie Bjorn.

Those at Kingsmeadow expected the net to bulge but James uncharacteristically guided her shot wide.

It didn't prove costly, however, as Chelsea soon doubled the lead. Ramirez's powerful run into the box was halted by Wheeler and a second penalty was awarded. Reiten stepped up and coolly converted.

Hayes then rang the changes to see Chelsea home. Nuksen, Kirby, and Fishel were all introduced and they combined exquisitely in the Everton final third to tee up a shot for the onrushing Cuthbert.

Chelsea's captain for the evening didn't have to break stride and fired a shot beyond Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.

It was a strike that enabled the Blues to see out the game comfortably and reassert our advantage atop the WSL table.

What it means

Victory for the Blues ensures our lead at the top of the Women's Super League table remains at three points. Manchester City sit second and Arsenal a third despite their shock defeat to West Ham United.

What’s next?

Another quick turnaround sees us return to Kingsmeadow this Wednesday 7 February where Sunderland are the visitors in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup quarter-finals, with kick-off at 7.00pm (UK time).

The teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Hampton; Lawrence, Carter, Bjorn, Charles ; Cuthbert (Cankovic 89), Leupolz ; Rytting Kaneryd (Kirby 68), James (Nusken 78), Reiten (Beever-Jones 78); Ramirez (Fishel 78).

Unused Subs: Musovic, Ingle, Perisset, Buchanan

Scorers: Reiten (27, 72), Cuthbert (83)

Booked: James 65

Everton (3-4-2-1): Brosnan; Vanhaevermaet, Stenevik, Finnigan (c); Payne (Hope 79), Galli, Wheeler (Olesen 79), Kuhl; Bennison; Madsen (Bissell 58), Piemonte.

Unused Subs: Hart, Dale, Snoeijs, Wilding.

Booked: Wheeler (25), Brosnan (25)

Red card: Sørensen

Referee: Emily Heaslip