Chelsea FC:
Starting XI – Hampton (GK), Carpenter, Bright ©, Buurman, Nusken, Cuthbert, James, Thompson, Girma, Baltimore, Rytting-Kaneryd
Subs- Kaptein (46’), Reiten (61), Kerr (61’), Potter (61’), Sarwie (80’),
West Ham United:
Starting XI- Szemik (GK), Endo, Siren, Belloumou, Ueki, Nystrom, Martinez, Asseyi, Gorry ©, Morgan, Hanshaw
Subs- Csiki (46’), Wandeler (76’), Piubel (83’), Brasero (87’),
Via @chelseafcw on Instagram
Chelsea FC looked to close the gap on Manchester City in the league this weekend in a London derby against West Ham United. The Hammers went into matchday 12 with just five points in the league, claiming one win from 11, whilst Chelsea sat in second place, claiming 24 points from a possible 33.
The Blues kicked off in Kingston with a goal within the first 50 seconds, via an own goal from Endo, the centre back failing to clear Ellie Carpenter’s cross.
The opening stages of the game continued with Chelsea dominant in possession and West Ham failing to make it out of their own half in the first few minutes.
The 11th minute saw the first pause in play, with Rika Ueki receiving treatment for a badly timed tackle by Erin Cuthbert.
Another close call from the Blues saw the Hammer’s defence struggle to clear yet again,
Erin Cuthbert’s corner proved threatening for West Ham.
West Ham’s first real chance on goal came in the 22nd minute however Chelsea proved why they’re the league’s reigning champions, and had no struggle slowing down play.
The 29th minute saw Szemik fail to clear the ball and Lauren James’ antics rebound into the net seeing the Blue’s double their lead.
Just minutes later, Chelsea came close to a third with Johanna Rytting – Kaneryd hitting the cross bar with a shot from range.
In the 41st minute, Ellie Carpenter and Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd’s link up found the boots of Alyssa Thompson who brought the blues to three.
The closing stages of the first half saw Sandy Baltimore make it four with a beautiful shot gliding past the hammers keeper and into the back of the net.
West Ham’s first shot of the game came in injury time, with Shakiera Martinez breaking through Chelsea’s defence with
At half time the score was 4-0 to Chelsea, a dominant display for the blues return home despite their injury woes.
The second half kicked off amid confusion about Estelle Cascarino’s debut with substitutions from both sides including Erin Cuthbert making way for Wieke Kaptein and Katrina Gorry being replaced by Anna Csiki.
A relatively even opening to the second half saw an action packed fifteen minutes with Hannah Hampton being forced into her first real save of the game
Sam Kerr, Lexi Potter and Guro Reiten were soon replaced by Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson and Sjoeke Nusken in a bid for Chelsea to score once more.
A controversial handball in the 69th saw Chelsea awarded a penalty in which Sandy Baltimore converted with ease. This meant the blues were 5-0 to the good.
Ten minutes later, goal scorer Sandy Baltimore was replaced by Chloe Sarwie, the 17-year-old making her league debut after making her way through the Chelsea academy.
Before long, West Ham made their third substitution of the game with Viviane Asseyi making way for Seraina Piubel and a final substitution meant Sarah Brasero replaced Rika Ueki.
With four minutes of stoppage time announced, West Ham’s back line proved problemed once again, with Hanshaw’s back pass finding Sam Kerr in worrying territory.
With the full time whistle pending, and Sandy Baltimore’s goal being the only one half, the full time score was 5-0 to Chelsea. The blue’s had certainly proved themselves as a title contender once more whilst Rita Guarino’s English managerial debut proved disappointing to Hammer’s fans.
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