Chelsea may be five points clear atop the FA WSL 1 table but Sunderland midfielder Rebekah Bass insists the Blues hold no fear as they prepare to host the leaders today.

Chelsea beat Bristol Academy 4-1 last weekend to remain unbeaten this season and extend their points advantage at the WSL 1 summit.

However, Sunderland have also thrived in the early part of the new campaign – winning four of their first seven games to lie third in the top tier of the FA Women’s Super League with BT Sport.

Following promotion from WSL 2 last term, the Black Cats have instantly looked at home in their new surroundings and Beth Mead’s injury-time winner over Notts County last time out ensured they began the second half of the season in perfect fashion.

And while Bass won’t be underestimating Chelsea, she says her side won’t be overawed by their illustrious opponents at the Hetton Centre.

“Chelsea have started the season brilliantly and fair play to them,” explained Bass. “But we want to go and upset them, to make it hard for them so they know it’s not going to be an easy ride.

“We don’t really fear anyone in this league – we go out there for every game thinking that we can get a result.

“We have not surprised ourselves with how we have started the season. We didn’t know what to expect in this league but we knew the potential of this side.

“We are going out to win games, to throw teams off and show what we can do.”

Durham captain Sarah Wilson admits tomorrow’s FA WSL 2 meeting with bottom side Watford is a must-win.

Both clubs have struggled to get going so far this term and while Watford prop up the rest at the foot of the standings, Durham in eighth.

The struggling duo have picked up just one win apiece and defender Wilson says there is no better opportunity than facing a team also struggling to pick up results.

“This game is huge for us. It could prove to be a turning point,” she said. “If we play with confidence then I believe we should be able to get a result.

“We must respect the opposition and we know they will be thinking the same thing when it comes to taking points off us so we must prepare well.

“We are eighth and we have a couple of games against Watford and London Bees coming up which are opportunities to get three points.

“We want to move away from the bottom of the table and back towards the top four. That was our target at the start of the season and I believe we can do it.”

Durham have lost their last five games, scoring just once and conceding 15 goals in that time, but will fancy their chances having beaten Watford 3-0 the last time the sides met – back in August 2014.

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