James struck a WSL treble against Liverpool in November at the Bridge – and she put herself on the path to another inside five minutes against United.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd fashioned the opener for James, who finished expertly from close range, while her second arrived midway through the half after a raking pass forward from Nathalie Bjorn.

Hayley Ladd reduced the deficit for the visitors late in the first half and United piled on pressure in the second. Yet with five minutes to play, James was put through to complete her hat-trick and seal victory for the Blues.

• Buy your tickets for Chelsea vs Arsenal at Stamford Bridge!

Starting fast

Five changes were made to the Chelsea starting XI. Hannah Hampton returned in goal; Bjorn and Niamh Charles came into the backline; Melanie Leupolz started in midfield; Mia Fishel was selected to lead the attack.

Hayes highlighted pre-match that her side lacked their usual rhythm on our return to action against West Ham United. There was no such problem this afternoon as the Blues dominated the opening 30 minutes.

The first goal of the contest came early – and from a predictable source. Chelsea reclaimed possession in the United half and broke forward through Rytting Kaneryd.

After an exchange of passes with Guro Reiten, the ball was knocked into the path of James six yards out. The outcome was inevitable: she produced a wonderful finish with the outside of her boot to find the far corner.

Chelsea only grew in confidence, our possession was controlled and composed, and United were pulled across the Stamford Bridge pitch. James came close with an effort from 20 yards, the excellent Erin Cuthbert did the same soon after.

Much of the Blues' threat came down the right with James and Rytting Kaneryd repeatedly linking to find a route behind the United defence. Unfortunately, no goal came from the intricate build-up.

A simple second

It was a far more basic approach that led to our second. Bjorn, who was making her full Chelsea debut, was given time in her half to scan the pitch and spot James making a run forward.

Her 50-yard pass was inch perfect for James, who confidently drilled a shot beyond Mary Earps without breaking stride.

United had very little to show for their efforts to that point. Yet they did end the half well and Hampton had to be alert to push wide a cross-cum-shot from Brazilian forward Geyse.

It proved a warning shot that wasn't heeded as, just before the interval, United pulled a goal back.

Geyse was the architect as she beat Charles and found Lucia García in the box. Her effort was well blocked by Kadeisha Buchanan, but the ball fell to Ladd who finished well.

A strong start to the second period was needed from Chelsea. Instead, it was United who maintained their momentum and created opportunities to draw level.

One fell the way of Ella Toone but Ashley Lawrence produced an exceptional tackle to deny the forward. Garcia then guided a header wide after United had recycled possession.

Hayes attempted to kickstart Chelsea's performance and introduced Sjoeke Nusken for Fishel. Still, it was United that carried the greater threaten and Hampton had to produce a fine reaction stop to deny Ladd.

The departure of Fishel resulted in James moving into the No.9 role and a trademark run from the England international ended with Earps being tested with an effort from a tight angle.

It was a moment that settled Chelsea and Reiten acrobatically volleyed over from our next attack. Bjorn was then denied by a combination of Earps and the post from a corner.

The Blues regained control as the half progressed and, with five minutes remaining, we claimed our third of the afternoon. Once again, it was via James.

It was simple in its creation as Nusken guided a header forward and James was able to burst through on goal, coolly finish, complete her hat-trick, and ensure the Blues were once again victorious at Stamford Bridge.

What it means...

Victory re-establishes our three-point advantage over Arsenal atop the Women's Super League table.

What comes next...

It is a quick turnaround for Emma Hayes and her players as the Blues return to action on Wednesday evening. Real Madrid are the opposition at Stamford Bridge in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

The teams

Chelsea: Hampton; Lawrence, Buchanan (Carter 77), Bjorn, Charles (c); Cuthbert, Leupolz; Rytting-Kaneryd, James (Kirby 89), Reiten; Fishel (Nuksen, 54)

Chelsea substitutes: Musovic, Perisset, Mjelde, Cankovic, Ignle, Beever-Jones

Scorers: James 5, 23

Manchester United: Earps; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turn, Blundell (Evans 90+4); Ladd (Naalsund 69), Zalem; Garcia (Parris 69), Toone (Williams 81), Galton; Geyse

Manchester United substitutes: Guerrero, Tullis-Joyce

Booked: Ladd 51, Parris 76

Scorers: Ladd 43

Referee: Abigail Byrne

Attendance: 20,473

• Buy your tickets for Chelsea vs Arsenal at Stamford Bridge!