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Chelsea lose Liverpool thriller as WSL title hopes dealt major blow

Costly defeat: Chelsea now face a hugely difficult task to retain the WSL title (Getty Images)
Costly defeat: Chelsea now face a hugely difficult task to retain the WSL title (Getty Images)

Chelsea suffered a huge blow in their pursuit of the Women's Super League (WSL) title as a dramatic 4-3 loss at Liverpool left leaders Manchester City firmly in the driving seat.

Emma Hayes' side led through a ninth-minute header from Aggie Beever-Jones - in the team for the injured Lauren James - before Liverpool turned things around via efforts from Sophie Roman Haug in the 51st minute and Gemma Bonner midway through the second half.

A chaotic finale then saw Beever-Jones net her second with 10 minutes of normal time to go before substitute Leanne Kiernan restored the hosts' advantage a minute later.

Teagan Micah's own goal brought things level once again two minutes later but Bonner headed in the winner in stoppage time.

With three matches left to play, the west London outfit - WSL champions for each of the last four years - are six points behind City, who have two games remaining.