Key Points
- West Ham United Women face reigning champions Chelsea in the Barclays Women’s Super League at Kingsmeadow on Sunday, 11 January 2026, with a 12:00 noon GMT kick-off.
- New Head Coach Rita Guarino takes charge for her first game, bringing her successful Italian experience to the Hammers.
- The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Mix in the UK from 11:00 GMT, with live blogs on whufc.com and social media channels.
- Coverage includes post-match reports, reactions, and highlights on the West Ham website.
- Travel details: Nearest station is Norbiton (15-minute walk), served by South Western Railway from London Waterloo via Clapham Junction and Wimbledon; no on-site parking, use residential streets with restrictions.
- Chelsea sit second in WSL standings, six points behind leaders Manchester City after 11 matches, with one loss to Everton on 7 December 2025 (first league defeat in 585 days).
- Sonia Bompastor, Chelsea’s manager since summer 2024, won the league unbeaten last season by 12 points, plus Subway Women’s League Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup for a domestic treble.
- Chelsea’s recent form: Four wins before winter break, including two UEFA Women’s Champions League group wins and a 9-1 Subway Women’s League Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool.
- In Champions League, Chelsea topped their group with four wins and two draws, advancing to quarter-finals to face either Oud Heverlee or Arsenal in March 2026.
- Chelsea beat Manchester City on opening day, plus wins over Aston Villa, Leicester City, and West Ham; draws against Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
- Upcoming: Chelsea face Manchester City in Subway Women’s League Cup semi-finals on 21 January 2026 and WSL on 1 February 2026.
- West Ham aim to repeat last season’s 2-2 draw at Chelsea, where Shekiera Martinez scored a late brace, the only point taken at Kingsmeadow in Chelsea’s unbeaten 2024/25 campaign.
Kingsmeadow (West Ham United Official Website) 9 January 2026 – West Ham United Women return to Barclays Women’s Super League action on Sunday against reigning champions Chelsea at Kingsmeadow, marking new Head Coach Rita Guarino’s debut in charge. The Hammers, who joined Guarino in December 2025, seek a positive start to 2026 by replicating last season’s late 2-2 draw secured by Shekiera Martinez’s brace—the only point any away team took from Chelsea during their unbeaten 2024/25 title-winning campaign. Live coverage airs on Sky Sports Mix from 11:00 GMT, with whufc.com offering a live blog, social media updates, and post-match reports, reactions, and highlights.
Who is Rita Guarino and What Does She Bring to West Ham?
Rita Guarino, the newly-appointed Head Coach who joined West Ham United in December 2025, steps into the Barclays Women’s Super League dugout for the first time on Sunday. As detailed on the West Ham United official website, Guarino will look to import her years of success in Italy to England’s top flight, aiming to ignite her tenure with a strong result at Kingsmeadow. The Italian tactician’s arrival signals fresh ambition for the Hammers, who host Chelsea in this pivotal early-2026 fixture.
Guarino’s track record in Italy underscores her credentials, though specific achievements remain tied to her continental pedigree as highlighted in the club’s preview. West Ham hope her expertise translates swiftly, especially against a Chelsea side that dominated last term. No direct quotes from Guarino appear in the provided coverage, but the club’s narrative frames her role as transformative for the east London outfit.
How Can Fans Watch Chelsea v West Ham?
Sunday’s clash broadcasts live on Sky Sports Mix for UK viewers, with coverage starting at 11:00 GMT ahead of the 12:00 noon kick-off. The West Ham United official website confirms fans can follow via a live blog on whufc.com and the club’s social media channels. Post-full-time, expect a full report, manager reactions, and video highlights uploaded promptly to the site.
This multi-platform approach ensures comprehensive access, catering to both television audiences and digital followers. International viewers may need to check local listings, though the primary UK focus remains Sky Sports. Such visibility boosts the profile of women’s football in the Super League.
What Are the Travel Details to Kingsmeadow?
The nearest railway station to Kingsmeadow is Norbiton, approximately a 15-minute walk from the ground. Norbiton receives South Western Railway services from London Waterloo, routing through Clapham Junction and Wimbledon, as outlined in the West Ham United travel advisory. No supporter parking exists on-site; residential street parking nearby is advised, but fans must verify local restrictions to avoid fines.
These logistics favour public transport for the fixture, minimising congestion around the Surrey venue shared with AFC Wimbledon men. Early arrival accommodates the walk and potential matchday crowds, ensuring smooth access for travelling Hammers supporters.
Where Do Chelsea Stand in the WSL Table?
Chelsea entered the Christmas break in second place in the WSL standings, trailing leaders Manchester City by six points. The Blues, who clinched the title last season unbeaten and by 12 points, now chase rather than lead—a shift from their six straight championships. At the halfway mark after 11 matches, they suffered just one league defeat, a 1-0 home loss to Everton on 7 December 2025—their first WSL reverse since May 2024, spanning 585 days.
Prior successes included opening-day victory over Manchester City, plus triumphs against Aston Villa, Leicester City, and West Ham United. Draws with Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool dented their summit bid. The West Ham preview attributes this form line directly to Sonia Bompastor’s stewardship.
Who is Sonia Bompastor and What Has She Achieved?
Sonia Bompastor, who replaced Emma Hayes as Chelsea boss in summer 2024, delivered the club’s first league title under her watch last term—unbeaten and 12 points clear. As reported in the West Ham United match preview, Bompastor completed a domestic treble by also lifting the Subway Women’s League Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup. This haul cements her impact at Kingsmeadow.
Bompastor’s Chelsea showed resilience post-Everton, stringing four wins across competitions before the winter break. The French manager’s tactical acumen positions the Blues as perennial contenders despite their current chasing role.
What is Chelsea’s Recent Form Across Competitions?
Chelsea bounced back from the Everton setback with four straight victories entering the break. These included two UEFA Women’s Champions League group-stage wins and a resounding 9-1 Subway Women’s League Cup quarter-final demolition of Liverpool. In Europe, they advanced to the quarter-finals with four group wins and two draws, drawn against either Oud Heverlee or Arsenal in March 2026—the one trophy they missed last season.
This run underscores Chelsea’s depth, blending domestic dominance with continental progress. The Blues’ pre-break surge reaffirms their threat level heading into 2026 fixtures.
Who Were Chelsea’s Key Results This Season?
Chelsea opened with a win over Manchester City, followed by successes against Aston Villa, Leicester City, and West Ham United. Draws against Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool preceded the Everton loss. These outcomes, per the West Ham analysis, highlight occasional vulnerability amid overall supremacy.
The single defeat snapped a 585-day WSL unbeaten streak at home. Such details paint Chelsea as fallible yet formidable.
What Challenges Lie Ahead for Chelsea?
Chelsea face Manchester City twice soon: Subway Women’s League Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, then WSL on Sunday, 1 February 2026. These tests could define their title defence, pitting them directly against the pacesetters. The winter break refresh positions them well, but fixture congestion looms.
Bompastor’s squad rotation will prove crucial amid multi-front battles. West Ham represent an early litmus test for sustaining momentum.
Can West Ham Repeat Last Season’s Feat?
West Ham drew 2-2 at Chelsea last season, Shekiera Martinez netting a late brace—the sole away point in the Blues’ unbeaten home WSL campaign. This memory fuels Hammers’ optimism under Guarino. A replicate would stun Kingsmeadow and jolt the table.
Martinez’s heroics linger as a benchmark. Guarino’s influence may unlock similar resilience.
Why Does This Match Matter in the Bigger Picture?
For West Ham, Guarino’s debut carries symbolic weight—a platform to signal ascent under new leadership. Chelsea seek to reclaim unchallenged supremacy against a familiar foe. In the WSL’s tight midway landscape, points here ripple through title chases and relegation scraps.
The fixture spotlights women’s football growth, with broadcast reach amplifying stakes. Kingsmeadow’s intimacy intensifies the drama on 11 January.
