Hawa Cissoko sees red as brawl mars West Ham’s WSL victory over Aston Villa

West Ham stunned an in-form Aston Villa as goals from Dagný Brynjarsdóttir and Honoka Hayashi secured Paul Konchesky’s side a battling three points in a tetchy encounter that boiled over in the closing stages.

Hawa Cissoko was sent off for lashing out at Sarah Mayling and as a melee broke out on the touchline Konchesky was also given his marching orders for clashing with England international Rachel Daly.

A buzz surrounded the Bescot Stadium as Villa fans entered full of anticipation after seeing their side enjoy an unbeaten start to the season. Their eye-catching performances have earned them high praise with both Carla Ward and Daly awarded the most recent manager and player of the month awards.

West Ham, however, arrived determined to disrupt this run of form. Konchesky’s side are a tough outfit to break down partnered with a dangerous attacking threat. They had been dealt a serious injury blow over the international break when they lost the influential Jess Ziu to a ACL injury while their defensive stalwart, Lucy Parker, was also missing.

It was a swashbuckling start from the visitors as they pressed high and found themselves ahead within two minutes. An early Kirsty Smith corner was met by tBrynjarsdóttir at the near post to nod home. Their second came shortly after - a sublime counterattack finished off by Japan international Hayashi from inside the area. It was clinical – two shots, two goals that sent shockwaves through the home side.

With a comfortable lead, the visitors were quite happy to absorb Villa’s pressure. The hosts dominated possession but could not find a cutting edge. Daly came close to a fourth of the season while Anna Patten agonisingly hit the post on the stroke of half-time

West Ham continued to