Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor described Lauren James as "one of the best players in the world" when she played as she did in their 3-1 win at Leicester City in the Women's Super League.
The England ace scored twice after Sam Kerr's opener, as Chelsea opened up a 3-0 lead after just 33 minutes at the King Power Stadium.
Shannon O'Brien replied for Leicester, but they were unable to mount a comeback against heavyweights Chelsea.
James scored twice in the same WSL game for the first time since January 27, 2024, and now has five league goals for the campaign.
Speaking to BBC Two after the game, Bompastor said: "I really have fun watching LJ when she plays at that level.
"I think she is one of the best players in the world when she is playing with that quality, and no one needs to teach her this quality.
"Her talent is great to watch for the fans and her team-mates. For the women's game, it's very important to have a player like her."
Three points and top-three secured! pic.twitter.com/cflYxYIS5l
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 3, 2026
James was taken off despite being on a hat-trick, but Bompastor said James knew it was going to happen.
"No, it was part of the plan, but of course it is always good when the players want to stay on the pitch. It was part of the plan to go into the game with fresh legs, though.
"I think we are in a good place. We are playing with confidence. We have a lot of intensity. The performance was good. The important thing tonight was the result."
Kerr's goal saw her become Chelsea's all-time leading goalscorer in the WSL, overtaking Fran Kirby with her 64th goal in the competition.
Team-mate Ellie Carpenter said of Kerr: "I think that she is a world-class striker, and I'm happy to see her thriving after that long spell she had out with her knee, and I'm happy that she is back, scoring goals and what an achievement it is for an Australian as well.
"I think she is such a legend for Australian football, and she sort of put Australian football on the map when she got introduced in the WSL.
"She is a phenomenal world-class striker, and Chelsea have been lucky to have her at this club and be their all-time leading goalscorer."
Chelsea sit second in the table as a result of the victory, six points adrift of Manchester City with one game left to play.