Chelsea close on WSL title after Charles and Harder spark rout of West Ham

17.05.2023 - 22:23 theguardian.com

Chelsea moved a step closer to a third successive Women’s Super League title with a dominant 4-0 defeat of West Ham moving them two points clear of Manchester United at the top of the table.

Emma Hayes had been dismissive of any fatigue as a result of Sunday’s FA Cup final defeat of Manchester United but she made seven changes to the team, with goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, defenders Eve Perisset and Maren Mjelde, midfielders Melanie Leupolz and Erin Cuthbert and forwards Lauren James and Guro Reiten all rested.

For West Ham, who had gone nine games without a win prior to this, there were three changes to the side that suffered defeat to Brighton, with Anouk Denton, Izzy Atkinson and Emma Snerle dropping to the bench in favour of Amber Tysiak, Risa Shimizu and Kirsty Smith.

Chelsea were dominant from the off and could have had a penalty within the opening two minutes after Hawa Cissoko appeared to commit a handball offence, but the referee waved away appeals.

Football Arsenal on Pernille Harder Emma Hayes Sam Kerr West Ham Erin Cuthbert Niamh Charles Lauren James Manchester Chelsea

Emerson Palmieri has said that West Ham must be prepared for Fiorentina’s attempts to frustrate them with spoiling tactics during the Europa Conference League final.

Declan Rice in line for one grand final farewell with West Ham

A round West Ham, there is zero bitterness at the thought of their most cherished talent moving on this summer. They have been crucial to Declan Rice’s progression into one of the best midfielders in the world, giving him a chance after he made a tearful exit from Chelsea at the age of 14, but the clock has been ticking all season. The mood is one of acceptance rather than anger and if there is regret it has to end this way any pain will surely float away if Rice’s final game for West Ham brings them their first major trophy for 43 years.

West Ham could sack David Moyes if they lose final as faith wanes again

West Ham are giving fresh consideration to parting company with David Moyes, increasing the pressure on the manager before Wednesday’s Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.

Bayern sign Chelsea duo Eriksson and Harder on three-year deal

Bayern Munich have signed Chelsea skipper Magdalena Eriksson and midfielder Pernille Harder on three-year contracts, the Frauen-Bundesliga champions said on Thursday.

West Ham to keep faith in Moyes, with plans for Palhinha and Barnes moves

West Ham are increasingly likely to keep David Moyes as their manager and will back him by targeting Fulham’s João Palhinha and Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes this summer.

Chelsea move within reach of WSL title after beating Arsenal, Everton down Brighton with late winner

Chelsea's fourth consecutive Women's Super League title is within touching distance after a confident 2-0 victory over Arsenal at Kingsmeadow. The champions swept into a 2-0 lead in the first half when Guro Reiten made a perfectly-timed run into the box to connect with Eve Perriset's cross from the right, and then departing Blues captain Magdalena Eriksson's tap-in doubled the advantage. Ad In her final home match for Chelsea, Eriksson's goal — assisted by a cross-goal header from Sam Kerr — was received with rapturous applause.