A show-stopping 8-0 performance against West Ham puts Chelsea in impressive stead to snatch the Women’s Super League title as Arsenal drop points.
In an extremely close title battle, Chelsea have leapfrogged title holders Arsenal after demolishing West Ham at Kingsmeadow.
Chelsea took full advantage of their home fixture as they took the lead over their London rivals just six minutes in.
Maren Mjelde poked a lovely ball home following a corner scenario to kick off the scoring.
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It wasn’t long before the Blues doubled their cushion. In-form forward Bethany England was the one to drive her team further into the lead.
Following a smooth through-ball from Erin Cuthbert, England rounded the goalkeeper and slotted her shot home.
Embed from Getty ImagesWelsh international Sophie Ingle scored her second goal in as many league games just before half-time. Another corner-kick troubled the Hammers, with Ingle bagging Chelsea’s third after finding the bottom corner of the net.
A title-hungry second half
Less than ten minutes after the restart, Cuthbert got herself on the scoresheet after previously assisting England’s goal. The Scot ploughed an absolute screamer past Courtney Brosnan and wheeled away to celebrate Chelsea’s fourth.
Just four minutes later, England helped herself to another goal to secure her brace. However, her double wasn’t without competition – with Mjelde also grabbing her second in the 61st minute.
Emma Hayes’ side registered an almighty 14 shots on target – leaving Brosnan under unbelievable pressure in the net. West Ham took just three shots throughout the entire game, only mustering one on target to trouble Carly Telford.
Embed from Getty ImagesChelsea’s final two goals came from the bench after Ramona Bachmann and Emily Murphy were substituted on to rub salt in West Ham’s wounds.
Bachmann fired home from close-range, followed by 16-year-old Murphy’s first ever WSL goal.
The youngster latched her head onto a delivery from Jessica Carter and nodded home the final chance in stoppage time.
Embed from Getty ImagesElsewhere, Manchester City fought off a dominant Arsenal with a 2-1 win, meaning the reigning champions slide into third place.
City are the new table leaders with 36 points, with Chelsea lurking just behind on 35 with that crucial game in-hand.
