West Ham 0-5 Chelsea, Women's Super League: Post-match reaction
Today at 11:56 AM
A statement win!
After our Leicester City experience, we were in real need of a performance to reaffirm our status as Women's Super League leaders and title contenders. That's what the Blues were looking to do from kickoff today against West Ham at Victoria Road, putting the hosts with their backs against the wall with high pressing and fast attacks against their goal.
Chelsea were getting closer and closer to an opening while West Ham weren't able to even leave their own defensive third. In one of our several attacking plays Catarina Macario put a great shot against Kinga Szemik's goal, and got us the lead 11 minutes into the match.
The pressure continued and the Hammers couldn't breath at all. In one instance of our pressing going right we recovered the ball in midfield from a goal kick going wrong for West Ham. Erin Cuthbert took the ball forward and scored a second for us with a low shot.
We took our foot off the gas pedal in the final third of the first half and West Ham began getting out of their half, although it was still very difficult for them to find anything upfront.
Even in this more "laid back" game state Chelsea would find their way into the back of the net. West Ham couldn't take the ball out of the box and Aggie Beever-Jones took her chance, making it 3-0 for us.
In the second half, Chelsea continued to press West Ham quite high up the pitch. Our fourth goal would come from a ball taken off the hosts near their box, with Sandy Baltimore taking a good shot against Szemik to get herself in the scoreline.
Even with a four-goal lead Chelsea were still pushing for goals, although with not as much intent. West Ham themselves looked too tired to try anything funny against our goal, which made our jobs much easier.
There was even time for a fifth goal. This one had a helping foot from West Ham defender Amber Tysiak as her attempt to clear a cross went into the back of the net.
Carefree!
- Sandy Baltimore, Catarina Macario and Aggie Beever-Jones start in attack, with Mayra Ramírez leading the attacking line.
- Cat is class.
- Chelsea's pressing was key in every goal they got today. Keep it up!
- Next up: Durham at home for the Women's League Cup.
- KTBFFH!
