Chelsea Ladies 2-0 West Ham United Ladies: Bethany England and Erin Cuthbert objectives see hosts climb to second within the WSL desk and earn London derby bragging rights
- Substitute Bethany England fired Chelsea Ladies forward with an astute tap-in
- Erin Cuthbert doubled the Blues' lead with a left-footed strike on 82 minutes
- Chelsea now sit second within the Ladies's Tremendous League - one level off high spot
Chelsea turned up the warmth on Arsenal on the high of the Ladies's Tremendous League as they returned to profitable methods with a 2-0 victory over West Ham.
Only a level separates the highest two with the Gunners on 26 and Chelsea on 25. However the Gunners might prolong their lead with a victory over Brighton on Thursday. Manchester United are carefully behind on 24 however have performed a sport extra.
The Blues had been and not using a win within the league since November 21 following a 1-0 defeat by Studying in December and a 0-0 draw with Brighton final weekend.
Beth England doesn't wish to be seen as a 'tremendous sub' however she proved to be simply that after coming off the bench to web Chelsea's first league objective in two months.
The striker was, maybe harshly, ignored of the beginning XI regardless of Sam Kerr's absence. Kerr is presently competing on the Asia Cup with Australia however Emma Hayes began with a entrance three of Fran Kirby, Pernille Tougher and Jessie Fleming. That's on no account a weak frontline, however it took England's presence within the field to drive the opening objective in the beginning of the second half.
Probably the most poignant second of the sport, nevertheless, got here within the seventh minute when gamers, followers, employees and officers stopped for a minutes applause to recollect West Ham fan Isla Caton, who tragically died this week from uncommon baby most cancers neuroblastoma.
Chelsea began on the entrance foot and had the primary actual likelihood of the sport when Jonna Anderson's highly effective cross from the left discovered Pernille Tougher on the again put up, however her header was effectively saved by Anna Leat.
On the different finish, Claudia Walker pressured Ann-Katrin Berger into motion because the goalkeeper smothered a by means of ball to forestall the striker from having an effort on objective.
Chelsea continued to press for an opener however discovered it troublesome to interrupt by means of a resolute Hammers' defence. Sophie Ingle hit the bar with a cross within the twenty second minute earlier than Tougher pressured Leat into one other good cease with an effort from simply exterior the field.
Emma Hayes introduced on England for Guro Reiten at half-time and the striker had the specified prompt impression as she broke the impasse within the 51st minute. Erin Cuthbert's fierce shot was pushed out by Leat however England was there to tap-in from two yards out.
Fran Kirby had an opportunity to double their lead shortly after however might solely fireplace a shot down the by means of of Leat after a wise activate the sting of the field.
Within the 82nd minute, Cuthbert did make it 2-0 within the 82nd minute as she hit a left-footed shot that dipped into the correct nook of the online.
This was not a classic Chelsea efficiency however it was sufficient to see off a West Ham aspect who did not have a shot heading in the right direction. The WSL title race continues to be broad open and will take one other twist at Meadow Park on Wednesday night time.
