Everton Women fell to 3-0 defeat at Walton Hall Park on Wednesday night as WSL leaders Chelsea delivered a ruthless all-round performance.

Goals from Fran Kirby, Pernille Harder and Melanie Leupolz secured victory for the west London outfit.

Everton remain fifth in the WSL, while the result ensures Chelsea retain their two-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City at the top of the table.

The game burst into life within two minutes – Chelsea were awarded a penalty when Meg Finnigan was adjudged to have handled Kirby’s driven cross.

Leupolz stepped up to take the kick but her effort was repelled by a spectacular full-stretch stop by Korpela.

Everton looked a threat in the early stages, too, with Izzy Christiansen a busy, creative influence in the middle of the park. She twice saw dangerous deliveries from out wide well cleared by Chelsea defenders.

Chelsea would make the breakthrough on 13 minutes, however. Ji So-Yun was the creator, sliding a wonderful first-time pass into the path of Kirby, who slotted past Korpela.

Everton were indebted to Korpela again when she made a fine point-blank save from Harder. The Danish international striker then saw a dipping effort from range cannon off the crossbar.

The tireless Claire Emslie almost fashioned a golden chance for Everton when she darted down the left and fizzed a ball into the area – her centre was intercepted in the nick of time by Magdalena Eriksson with the onrushing Graham waiting to apply the finish.

Everton started the second half on the front foot and Emslie’s swerving 20-yard strike forced Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger into a fine fingertip stop.

At the other end, Korpela saved well from Kirby – but the Finland international keeper could do nothing about Chelsea’s second goal of the night on the hour-mark.

After a slick Chelsea breakaway, Kirby teed up Harder who finished from six yards.

Substitute Valerie Gauvin came close to pulling one back for Everton when her header cannoned off the top of the bar.

But Chelsea made the points safe 10 minutes from time when Leupolz tucked the ball into an open goal after Harder’s header was saved by Korpela.