A second-half strike from Eniola Aluko saw Chelsea overcome reigning champions Liverpool by a single goal, in the first meeting of the season between last year’s top two sides.
The England international broke the deadlock following a goalless first 45 minutes, beating goalkeeper Libby Stout with a lobbed effort.
Influential midfielder Fara Williams then rued an opportunity missed for the visitors to level from the penalty spot, as she fired her spot-kick wide of the post.
Chelsea are now the only side in the WSL 1 to boast a perfect record so far, and Emma Hayes will be delighted to see her side inflict Liverpool’s second defeat of the season already, as the Merseyside outfit edged the West London side to the league title on goal difference last year.
The Reds enjoyed the majority of the possession during the first half, but missed multiple opportunities to go in front, including two early efforts from Asisat Oshoala who fired agonisingly wide and then just over the crossbar in quick succession.
Aluko then nearly made her way on to the scoresheet after she found space behind the Reds’ defence but her low strike was narrowly wide of the post.
Gemma Bonner was then equally unlucky for the visitors, twice threatening for the champions from set-pieces, but on both occasions her headers failed to find the back of the net.
Nevertheless, the current league leaders proved their worth after the break, when Aluko collected a well-spotted pass from Laura Coombs before beating Stout with a tidy finish, following an electrifying run.
Oshoala then had the perfect opportunity to gain the visitors a lifeline, and an instant leveller, but subsequently fired her thunderous effort shot just over the upright with Chelsea keeper Hedvig Lindahl beaten.
The hosts then had a decent penalty shout turned down by the referee who adjudged the foul on Gemma Davison by Reds defender Satara Murray to be fair.
But moments later a spot-kick was awarded, but down the other end, as goalscorer Aluko handled a Williams’ delivery inside the area.
Williams stepped up from 12 yards but couldn’t test Hedvig Lindahl and as a result, Chelsea have conceded just once in their first three games of the 2015 campaign.
