Chelsea have returned to winning ways in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League with a 2-0 victory over West Ham United at Kingsmeadow this evening.
The game was far from a classic but second half goals from Beth England and Erin Cuthbert helped fire Chelsea to a hugely important victory over their London rivals.
Pernille Harder produced the game’s first real chance after 15 minutes but her bullet header was saved by visiting keeper Anna Leat before the New Zealander also denied Aniek Nouwen. Sophie Ingle then twice went close to breaking the deadlock but the two sides went into the break at 0-0.
Chelsea got their goal six minutes into the second period when Leat fumbled a powerful Cuthbert effort, allowing England to fire home her 50th WSL goal.
The Blues pushed for a second goal but struggled to severely test Leat in the West Ham United goal. They had to wait until eight minutes from time to seal their win when Cuthbert hit a lovely effort across goal into the far corner.
The result moves Chelsea to within a point of leaders Arsenal in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table. The Gunners face Brighton & Hove Albion at Meadow Park tomorrow night.