West Ham 0-4 Chelsea: Blues ease to victory to return to top of WSL

Chelsea returned to the top of the Women’s Super League desk with victory at West Ham, placing them in pole place to defend their title with two video games remaining.

It was a routine win in London as Pernille Harder capped off one other spectacular show with a objective.

Niamh Charles, Sophie Ingle and Erin Cuthbert had been additionally on the scoresheet.

Victory ensures Chelsea sit two factors clear of challengers Manchester United – who they beat at Wembley on Sunday – having performed 20 matches every.

In a pulsating title race, Chelsea additionally prolonged their benefit in objective distinction, shifting 4 above Manchester United.

They held a slim 1-0 lead on the break thanks to Charles towards a cussed West Ham aspect who haven’t received a recreation within the WSL since December.

Harder’s scientific end shortly after the break doubled their lead and Chelsea had been by no means actually troubled on the Chigwell Construction Stadium as Ingle pounced on a rebound to make it 3-0 and substitute Cuthbert added a elegant fourth.

“Once again it’s a great team effort because we’ve played so many games back-to-back,” Chelsea supervisor Hayes informed Sky Sports.

“We need to maintain clear sheets, that is necessary. We acquired an early objective however did not construct on it. We struggled in creating the overload like we wished to and had to alter that at half-time.

“I do not speak about objectives, I speak about efficiency. I wished them to exit and construct on the primary half efficiency.”

Chelsea edge nearer to title

This end result means Chelsea might win the WSL title this weekend in the event that they beat Arsenal and Manchester United fail to beat rivals Manchester City.

They are on the enterprise finish of the season and Chelsea confirmed their expertise and superiority to take their probabilities and make mild work of a struggling West Ham aspect.

Harder, who had an infinite impression off the bench of their FA Cup closing win over United three days in the past, returned to the beginning XI as one of seven adjustments made by Hayes.

So robust is Chelsea’s depth, they had been in a position to rotate key gamers Guro Reiten and Cuthbert, in addition to making three adjustments to the backline, with out seeing any drop off in efficiency.

Ingle, one other of these to return after impressing at Wembley, was the one to slide it by means of to Harder after half-time, earlier than including a objective herself, heading in a rebound from shut vary.

Victory additionally capped off a celebratory night for Charles, who made her 100th look for the membership aged simply 23 and reacted quickest to the rebound from Sam Kerr’s shot to rating within the first half.

West Ham issues linger

While Chelsea’s momentum continues, it was one other unwelcome defeat for West Ham, who’ve now gone 10 video games with out victory.

They carried out properly in patches – England worldwide Lucy Parker impressing in midfield, whereas ahead Viviane Asseyi had a number of half-chances.

They got here shut to scoring on the finish when substitute Amalie Thestrup had an effort cleared off the road by Jess Carter and Kate Longhurst struck inches broad from lengthy vary.

But whereas they failed to take their uncommon alternatives, Cuthbert confirmed ruthlessness on the different finish, extending Chelsea’s benefit in stoppage-time with a positive strike.

It has been a regarding finish to the season for Paul Konchesky’s aspect as they had been properly overwhelmed by Chelsea.