Barclay’s Women’s Super League, Chigwell Construction Stadium, Sunday 4th October 14:00
West Ham United Women faced Chelsea on home soil on Sunday 4th October, losing 3-0. It was a convincing win for Chelsea who extended their unbeaten run this season.
The Hammers did not look confident in defence, but forced Chelsea to work hard for their lead. However, they were ultimately the masters of their own downfall conceding an avoidable opening goal in the 38th minute.
They gave the ball away from a free-kick in their own half, allowing Sjoeke Nüsken to whisk the ball into the box. She delivered a pass to summer signing Melvine Malard who expertly swiveled and placed her shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
Chelsea’s dominance did not subside and they secured match-winning goals in the 80th and 87th minute.
The second goal was scored by Keira Walsh, a powerful, curling effort from just outside the box. Whilst the latter was nodded in at the back post from close range by Maika Hamano after a looping cross caused mayhem and confusion in the six-yard box.
Chelsea players celebrate their third goal, whilst West Ham regroup
On the other hand, West Ham United failed to register a single shot. Forwards Kelly Gago and Viviane Asseyi were lively in their movement but struggled to get involved in the play of the game, often cutting isolated figures.
The Blues were able to confidently snuff out attacks and left the Hammers with nothing to work with.
West Ham United Women Head Coach Rita Guarino was happy with her team’s defensive efforts but felt they “needed to move the ball better and find other solutions.”
Her team came off the back of a comeback win against Southampton midweek in the Women’s League Cup, having conceded in the opening two minutes but fighting back and finding three goals in the second half to progress.
They earned their only win of the WSL season so far against WSL upstarts London City Lionesses and now sit 11th in the league, three places and three points above the bottom.
On the team’s opening to the season, captain Katie Zelem said,
“We knew we had a lot of tough games. I think if we’d have got points against Everton then it would have been a really successful first bit of the season.
“To be honest, I think the international break’s come at a good time for us. We’ve got thin numbers in the squad and we’ve lost a few players through injury so if they can be back after the international break it’ll be good for the team.”
Whilst Chelsea continue their unbeaten run, which features statement wins against title rivals Arsenal and Manchester United, and look every bit worth it. They shortly occupied first place in the WSL before Manchester City beat Arsenal later in the day.
This game concluded the first block of WSL fixtures for both teams before the international break, so the Hammers will have to wait another two weeks to set things straight, away across London against Crystal Palace on Sunday 15th October.
