Chelsea Ladies secured a fantastic start to the season yesterday as they thumped Liverpool 5-0.

A hat-trick from Lianne Sanderson on her league debut added to Eniola Aluko's double to finalise the impressive score-line, despite facing a young but sturdy Liverpool side.

The starting line-up comprised eleven England internationals, five of which represent their country at senior level, including Casey Stoney, who captained the Blues from her defensive position.

But, despite Chelsea's advantage, Liverpool tried to take control of the game early on and created themselves a couple of chances inside the first 15 minutes.

The start of the game had been a balanced one, but it didn't take long for the Blues to take control.

Inside the first 20 minutes, Aluko broke down the left and sent the ball back to an open Sanderson, whose clinical finish found the back of the net to break the deadlock.

Next it was our other new signing Anita Asante's turn to sprint down the left flank and pick out Aluko on the right, who sent a composed shot behind the line in the 22nd minute.

Despite the score-line, Liverpool continued to challenge the Chelsea team, but it didn't take long for Sanderson to strike from extreme pressure, sending the ball curling into the top right to give the Blues a three-goal lead.

Chelsea continued to control the game as the second half kicked off and within three minutes of the restart had increased the lead.

A poor goal-kick saw Danni Buet head the ball into the path of Aluko, who calmly chipped a lob over the top of the oncoming Liverpool keeper, 4-0.

Chelsea then stepped up a gear and kept Liverpool under extreme pressure in front of the home fans at Imber Court and two Liverpool substitutions failed to prevent Sanderson completing her hat-trick.

Siobhan Chamberlain who was called into action next, as her acrobatic save stopped a screaming 20-yard shot and maintained her clean sheet.

A perfect start to the season for the Ladies against a resilient Liverpool side, who, despite the final 5-0 score, showed great character throughout for such a young team.

Chelsea FC: Chamberlain, Stoney, Asante, Davies, Perry; Rafferty, Smith, Buet, Susi; Aluko, Sanderson.