Chelsea Women produced a commanding performance to defeat West Ham United Women 5–0 in a Women’s Super League fixture, underlining their title credentials with a display of pace, precision, and ruthless finishing.
Chelsea Set the Tone Early
From the opening whistle, Chelsea asserted control, pressing high and moving the ball quickly through midfield. Their early dominance translated into goals, as the hosts broke through West Ham’s defensive shape with sharp passing and intelligent movement between the lines. Chelsea’s tempo and width stretched the visitors, forcing West Ham into a deep defensive block for long spells.
Chelsea’s attacking unit combined effectively, repeatedly finding space in wide areas and delivering dangerous balls into the box. The early goals settled the contest and allowed Chelsea to dictate proceedings for the remainder of the match.
Clinical Finishing and Midfield Control
Chelsea’s midfield was central to the one-sided nature of the game. Erin Cuthbert set the rhythm with her energy and ball-winning, while Melanie Leupolz helped control possession and link play between defence and attack.
Up front, Chelsea were clinical. Sam Kerr led the line with authority, consistently occupying defenders and converting chances with composure. Support from wide areas added further threat, as Chelsea’s forwards rotated positions to keep West Ham under constant pressure.
West Ham Struggle to Cope
West Ham found it difficult to escape Chelsea’s press and struggled to build sustained attacks. Their defensive line was repeatedly tested by Chelsea’s movement and speed, while turnovers in midfield left them exposed to quick transitions.
Despite the scoreline, West Ham showed resilience and continued to compete, but clear chances were limited. Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was rarely troubled, thanks to Chelsea’s strong defensive structure and control of territory.
Second-Half Control Seals the Result
Chelsea maintained their intensity after the break, adding further goals through well-worked team moves and capitalising on defensive lapses. Lauren James impressed with her creativity and direct running, contributing decisively as Chelsea extended their lead.
The hosts managed the latter stages professionally, rotating possession and limiting West Ham’s opportunities, while continuing to threaten whenever space opened up.
What the Result Means
The final whistle confirmed a 5–0 victory for Chelsea Women, a result that reinforced their position near the top of the Women’s Super League table during the closing stages of the 2025–26 season. The performance showcased Chelsea’s depth, balance, and attacking firepower.
For West Ham United Women, the defeat was a difficult one against elite opposition. While effort and work rate were evident, Chelsea’s quality across the pitch proved overwhelming on the day.
Chelsea now turn their attention to the final stretch of the WSL campaign with momentum firmly on their side, while West Ham will look to regroup and focus on bouncing back in their remaining fixtures.