CHLOE Kelly's breath-taking hat-trick fired Everton to a well-deserved Barclay’s FA Women’s Super League victory over Reading.

Kelly turned in a clinical performance as Willie Kirk's side ended a three-match losing streak in emphatic style.

Kelly Chambers' Reading started brightly on a cold and crisp afternoon at the Pure Stadium in Southport.

Striker Brooke Chaplen went close early on when her well-struck shot was brilliantly tipped over the top by Everton keeper Alexandra Maciver.

It was the hosts who struck in the 11th minute, however. Skipper Lucy Graham slid a terrific pass through to Kelly, and she slotted the ball comfortably past Rachael Laws from 15 yards.

Everton were then thwarted by the woodwork when Kelly crossed in low for Simone Magill, only for her close-range effort to strike the post.

Reading equalised right on the half-hour mark, with Fara Williams confidently slamming home from the penalty spot after Megan Finnigan had upended Angharad James.

Everton had the first opportunity of the second period, but Kelly wasted it as she drove a 20-yard free-kick way over the top.

The Blues midfielder soon made up that miss in some style, however, as she curled a corner kick into the net past a stunned Laws just before the hour mark.

It got even better for Kelly in the 65th minute when she squeezed home Graham's low cross to seal a brilliant hat-trick.

Reading's best chance to grab a late second goal fell to Jade Moore, who could only sky her effort from the edge of the box.

Reading midfielder Jade Moore said: "There were a few tired legs out there in the second half, given the heavy week that we've had. The pitch was really heavy too, and I don't think that helped.

"We've got no-one else to blame other than ourselves, though. We went in at the break at 1-1 and it was an even game at that point.

"We were in with a great chance of getting the job done, but unfortunately we fell at the final hurdle.

“It's disappointing. We always struggle here for some reason. Everton do seem to be our bogey team, particularly up here in the north-west.

"We're fine usually at home against them, but I can't fathom out why we always seem to struggle here. It's for us to go and work that out now maybe."

Everton hat-trick hero Chloe Kelly said: "I've scored a hat-trick in the Conti Cup previously, but this was my first in the league, so I'm absolutely buzzing.

"I'm proud of myself of course, but we had a great all-round team performance. For me to get three goals was great, but we knew we'd have to defend set-pieces well and that is just what we did.

"It was a first for me to score direct from a corner too! As a team we have been working hard on our set-pieces, so credit to the staff for that.

"We have been playing well during this recent run, it's just that we couldn't seem to get the results we deserved.

"We have been working hard on the training ground, so to get the three points here is a big reward for all that work. Hopefully we can gain ourselves some good momentum going into the next few games now."

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