Chelsea kicked off the new year with a commanding 4-0 victory over West Ham in the Women’s Super League. This match marked the debut of manager Rita Guarino at West Ham, who took over the role in December after a successful tenure in Italy. The defeat underscores the challenges facing West Ham, particularly after a difficult start to their season.
Chelsea’s Strong Performance
The match at Kingsmeadow was a showcase of Chelsea’s dominance. They scored their first goal just 49 seconds in, with Yu Endo unintentionally diverting a cross from Ellie Carpenter into her own net. This rapid strike set an aggressive tone for the game.
Key Moments
- 1-0 Early Lead: Own goal by Yu Endo.
- 2-0: Lauren James capitalized on a mistake by West Ham goalkeeper Kinga Szemik.
- 3-0: Goals from Alyssa Thompson.
- 4-0: Sandy Baltimore scored from the penalty spot.
West Ham struggled to contain Chelsea’s attack, leading to a series of mistakes. After the first half, West Ham’s hopes were further diminished when they conceded a penalty for a handball by striker Viviane Asseyi.
West Ham’s Challenges
This game was particularly disappointing for West Ham, who are currently positioned second-bottom in the league. They recently parted ways with former manager Rehanne Skinner following eight losses in eleven matches, and Guarino’s debut offered little relief.
Despite the loss, Chelsea remains six points behind league leaders Manchester City. The victory served as a strong statement about their continued ambition in the WSL title race. Chelsea’s performance should serve as a warning to other contenders that they are still very much in the hunt for the championship.
