STOPPAGE TIME goals from Gemma Davison and Ana Borges sealed Chelsea Ladies a 3-0 win over Reading FC Women at Adams Park.
A second half Katie Chapman header put the visitors ahead before late strikes from Davison and Borges added some gloss to the win to leave the Royals still seeking their first WSL 1 victory.
Melissa Fletcher and Chapman both missed the clearest chances during a lively first half where both defences were on top.
The deadlock was finally broken eight minutes after the restart when Karen Carney’s free-kick was headed in by Chelsea skipper Chapman.
For all Royals’ endeavour, the visitors saw out the win with relative comfort, adding a second goal in stoppage time when Davison smashed into the top corner.
And there was time for a third when substitute Borges curled into the bottom corner in the final few moments.
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Kelly Chambers made just one change to the side which lost late on against Liverpool last time out with Melissa Fletcher replacing Jade Boho Sayo up front, while Lois Roche returned to the squad with Sophie Perry missing out.
Chelsea, still with a mathematical chance of the title, also made one change with Claire Rafferty coming in at left-back instead of Borges, who dropped to the bench.
The visitors started brightly, popping the ball around on the edge of the box, but Royals held firm.
The only chances of note in the opening 20 minutes saw Carney head into the side netting at one end before Fletcher’s diving header also crept just the wrong side of the post.
But the Blues carved out a huge chance to take the lead on 21 minutes when a free-kick found captain Chapman unmarked deep inside the area, but she headed over the bar.
While Chelsea were dominating possession, it was not all one way traffic with Fletcher working hard up front at the other end.
Eni Aluko had been struggling to get the better of Becky Jane for the majority of the half but she did manage to dig out a cross which just evaded Carney in the centre.
From there Royals launched a swift counter attack after good footwork from Lauren Bruton.
The ball was played in to the path of Fletcher, one-on-one with goalkeeper Becky Spencer but she clipped her effort over the bar.
The half ended goalless with neither keeper unduly troubled with the hosts undoubtedly the happier of the two at the break.
Reading started the second half brightly with Emma Follis’ cross just evading Fletcher in the centre before Remi Allen volleyed over a couple of minutes later.
So it came as a blow to fall behind on 53 minutes.
Rachel Rowe was penalised for a barge on Davison, allowing Carney to curl a free kick in for Chapman to guide a header into the far corner.
Royals responded well with Harriet Scott firing wide but despite getting into a number of good positions around the box, they could not quite find the killer pass.
Chambers threw on Kayleigh Hines and Nia Jones in the final quarter of an hour but the hosts could not find a way to test Spencer.
And the win was sealed in added time when Davison cut in from the left and smashed into the top corner, albeit with Kylie Davies being fouled off the ball, before Borges added another, curling in in the dying moments.
READING (ratings out of 10): Earps 7; Jane 7, McGee (c) 6.5, Davies 6.5, Scott 7; Bartrip 6.5 (Hines 74 6), Allen 7.5*, Bruton 7; Rowe 6.5, Follis 6.5, Fletcher 6.5 (Jones 79 n/a).
Subs not used: Sansom, Walkley, Roche, Ward, Boho Sayo.
Yellow cards: Allen (71), Bruton (75)
CHELSEA: Spencer; Blundell, Fahey, Flaherty, Rafferty; Chapman (c) (Bailey 70), Bright; Davison, Ji (Spence 84), Aluko (Borges 66); Carney.
Subs not used: Lindahl, England.
Goals: Chapman (53), Davison (90+1), Borges (90+3)
Attendance: 679
