Chelsea stepped up the pace at the top of the Women's Super League as a storming second-half performance saw them ease to a 6-2 win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

The visitors gave Sonia Bompastor's side all they could handle in an engrossing first period and Matilda Vinberg's 41st-minute equaliser ensured they would deservedly reach the interval all square.

But three goals in nine blistering second-half minutes swung the game Chelsea's way, with Lauren James scoring twice and proving the key architect of her side's revival.

The hosts predictably started fast and Alyssa Thompson and Melvine Malard both came close before James lashed the opener past Spurs keeper Lize Kop from a tight angle just before the half-hour mark.

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The visitors responded well with Vinberg heading home for the leveller from Julie Blakstad's cross and they carried their momentum into the second half with Hannah Hampton forced into action to deny another Vinberg effort.

Ellie Carpenter settled Chelsea's nerves by stroking them back in front on 58 minutes and they were soon home and dry as James made it three four minutes later following a blistering run from the centre circle, then Sjoeke Nüsken fired home from Keira Walsh's clever assist.

Spurs kept coming with Kirsty Hanson forcing a fine save out of Hampton, but Chelsea extended their lead four minutes from time through Maika Hamano.

Signe Gaupset struck a late consolation for Tottenham but there was still time for Chelsea to hit six when Carpenter rounded off an impressive personal display with her second goal of the game in stoppage time.