The WSL leaders appeared set to drop points for just the second time this season as the clock ticked down in west London.
Catarina Macario had endured a frustrating afternoon in front of goal, but the Brazilian was not left to count the cost of her misses.
Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze did a decent job of containing the threat posed by England colleagues Alessia Russo and Beth Mead, with defences on top for the most part.
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James was, however, to lure Kim Little into a risky challenge inside the penalty area with eight minutes remaining, and Guro Reiten showed no sign of nerves as she rolled the resulting spot-kick into the bottom corner.
GOAL rates Chelsea’s players at Stamford Bridge...
