Brighton & Hove Albion Women v West Ham United
Barclays Women’s Super League, Broadfield Stadium, Sunday 7 May 2023, 2pm BST.
West Ham United Women travel to Broadfield Stadium to take on Brighton & Hove Albion in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Sunday.
As the WSL season heads into the closing stages, the Hammers will be hoping to pick up points and keep themselves clear of the danger of relegation from the top division.
For now, Paul Konchesky’s team are keeping those fears at arm’s length, and are six points clear of bottom side Reading, but they know that points are needed as they look to put a bad run of form behind them.
Brighton are also in search of points under new manager Melissa Phillips, and currently sit in eleventh place in the standings.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of an exciting contest on Sunday.
Tickets
Fancy watching the Hammers in action at Broadfield Stadium. Tickets are still available to purchase from Brighton’s official website by clicking here!
How to follow
If you can’t make it to West Sussex for the clash, then you’ll be able to watch the fixture live on The FA Player, with coverage beginning five or so minutes before the scheduled 2pm kick off.
You can also follow the action across our social media channels, while highlights and exclusive reactions will follow after the final whistle on whufc.com.
Team News
Konchesky will be hoping that Amber Tysiak can play a role in Sunday’s clash against the Seagulls. The Belgian central defender made her debut in the 6-2 defeat to Manchester City in their most recent match. Having been out injured since arriving in east London, Tysiak is raring to go and hopes to be able to contribute in the final four matches of the season.
Jess Ziu is a long-term injury absentee after sustaining an ACL injury back in October, whilst Abbey-Leigh Stringer has not featured in the WSL since early February.
The Opposition
Brighton are hoping to solidify their place in the top division over the coming weeks. It’s been an up-and-down season for the Seagulls, who under Phillips find themselves on their third permanent manager of the season.
Hope Powell began the season in charge, but poor form saw her replaced by former Bayern Munich coach Jens Scheuer in December. The German was in the dugout for just six matches on the South Coast before he departed by mutual consent in early March.
And after a month with interim manager, Amy Merricks at the helm, the Seagulls turned to former London City Lionesses manager Melissa Phillips to take the reins as they look to beat the drop and turn their fortunes around.
Phillips had led the Kent based outfit to the summit of the Barclays Women’s Championship before leaving to take up a position with Angel City in California. But she decided that moving back to England was the right step in her career.
Indeed, Phillips has already made an impact at Broadfield Stadium, running Manchester United incredibly close in the semi final of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, losing to a 89th minute winner from Rachel Williams. In the WSL she managed Brighton to their first league win since November and their first and only league win at home against Everton on 19 April.
Last weekend, Brighton drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and they will be hoping to build on the four points they have collected in their last three WSL outings.
In the reverse fixture at Chigwell Construction Stadium, Brighton picked up what is their only away win so far this season when they won 5-4 in east London.
Led by interim boss Merricks, the away side cruised into a 5-2 lead, before a quick-fire double from Viviane Asseyi late on made for a nervy finish. However, there wasn’t enough time for Konchesky’s side to find an equaliser.
