Sam Kerr scored twice to match a club record as Chelsea took a significant step towards Champions League qualification with a clinical second-half performance to beat Everton.

The Blues moved four points clear of Manchester United, who sit third, while Arsenal are a further point back in fourth with three games in hand.

Kerr's double, along with goals from Ellie Carpenter and Erin Cuthbert, meant a stunning strike from Yuka Momiki for Everton counted for little as Chelsea coasted to victory at Goodison Park.

By reaching 63 goals in her career for Chelsea in the WSL, Kerr has matched former team-mate Fran Kirby's record haul for the club.

Chelsea went ahead when Kerr finished well after a good through pass from Cuthbert in the sixth minute, but the lead did not last long.

That was because of an outstanding goal from Momiki, who spotted Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton had strayed off her line and fired in from 35 yards just four minutes later.

Sonia Bompastor's visitors had the better of the remainder of the opening half but could not find a way past Everton keeper Courtney Brosnan again before the break, with Keira Walsh, Alyssa Thompson and Sjoeke Nusken being denied.

With Arsenal in Champions League action, this was a chance for Chelsea to extend their lead over the Gunners in the race for qualification into Europe's elite competition for next season.

They took it, with Kerr putting them back in front two minutes after the restart when she got on the end of an inch-perfect pass from Lauren James to finish first time from the left side of the area as Brosnan rushed out to try to close the angle.

It was a huge blow for Everton because Maz Pacheco had missed a glorious chance moments earlier when she diverted a Toni Payne cross on to the bar and over with her knee from just a few yards out.

Pacheco did clear one off the line to deny Kerr a hat-trick but Chelsea got their third in the 53rd minute as Carpenter's deflected effort went over Brosnan after Thompson's ball in.

Cuthbert completed the scoring when she fired a half-volley past Brosnan from the edge of the box after Kerr had a header blocked.

This was a big result for Chelsea given they had dropped points against Everton earlier in the season, with a shock 1-0 home defeat.

Even though it is mathematically possible for them to still win the title, it is very much improbable as they are six points behind City with a big gap in goal difference and just two games to go.

But Bompastor's plans are to return Chelsea to a side competing for those major honours and qualifying for the Champions League is so important to that aim.

Chelsea could have wobbled after the stunning equaliser from Momiki and a number of missed chances during the rest of the opening half.

But they were ruthless with two goals in eight minutes at the start of the second half that turned the game completely in their favour.

This was a fine performance from Kerr, who was unlucky not to have a hat-trick after a header appeared to cross the line. The ball was scooped up by Everton keeper Brosnan and the officials did not award the goal.

Kerr's contract is up at the end of the season and the Australian's future remains in doubt, but this demonstrated the enduring value of the 32-year-old forward.

Everton suffered another defeat at Goodison Park – their eighth of the season – and have lost three games in a row in the competition. They have not made their new home a fortress since moving in last summer.

Interim coach Scott Phelan will hope they can get positive results in their final two games to at least stay ahead of Merseyside rivals Liverpool in the table and not end the season on a low point.

Next for Everton is a trip to Arsenal in the Women's Super League on Wednesday, 13 May (19:00 BST).

Chelsea are back in action in the WSL at Leicester City on Sunday, 3 May (14:30 BST).

Head here to get involved