FREE AND EASY

James runs riot as Lionesses hit six of best

- Neil Moxley

CHINA              1 
ENGLAND       6

SARINA Wiegman's selection gamble paid off in spectacular style as Lauren James stamped her name all over this World Cup.

The Dutch coach gave the Chelsea playmaker centre stage and she grabbed the opportunity with both hands to give England a major morale boost heading into the knockout stages.

Ditching her normal formation, manager Wiegman chose to allow James the freedom of Adelaide's Hindmarsh Stadium.

The results were emphatic as only VAR denied the precocious 21-year old the glory of a World Cup hat-trick- with James also having a hand in three of England's other goals as they topped Group D in style.

It was a sensational return for the Blues forward, who flummoxed the Chinese from the start and produced two goals that simply oozed class.