1. Sharing the goals among the attack
Three of West Ham United women’s team’s quartet of attacking players that started on Sunday found the back of the net against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Shekiera Martinez, who adopted a position on the right wing, was first to strike - breaking the deadlock with a poacher’s finish from close range after Riko Ueki’s header was well saved by Melina Loeck. The goal meant the Germany U23 international has found the back of the net in back-to-back home league matches for the Hammers.
Following Nikita Parris’ equaliser, Japan international Ueki was next to get on the scoresheet as she capitalised on an error in the Brighton backline with a clinical finish before Viviane Asseyi remained assured from the penalty spot four minutes later.
That was the No20’s ninth goal in all competitions, her fifth in the Barclays Women’s Super League this term.
Rehanne Skinner had called for her side to be more clinical in recent matches, and her attack were on red-hot form in front of goal in east London on Sunday.
2. Szemik's saves!
While the Hammers’ attack will rightly be applauded for their finishing against the Seagulls, a lot of credit has to go to goalkeeper Kinga Szemik, who thwarted the visitors on a number of occasions - and her four stops were far from routine.
She was called upon early in the contest and made a brilliant reaction stop to deny Madison Haley from only a few yards out and then after the two first-half goals, Szemik was again alert to stab away Guro Bergsvand’s low volley with her feet.
Moments before the break, the Poland international made a brilliant one-handed save to deny Jelena Čanković what looked like a certain goal, and she was on hand to beat away Kiko Seike’s strike across goal early in the second period.
Speaking post-match to West Ham TV, Szemik said: “I'm really happy that I've helped the team. I feel like I've been frustrated with myself a little bit with how I performed because I knew I could have been so much better, but here we are today, and I feel like finally I've played the way I can play, and hopefully I can keep on this type of level until the end of the season.”
3. Eva rock solid on east London debut
While she has been at the Club for almost a month, Sunday’s victory over Brighton marked Eva Nyström’s first game at Chigwell Construction Stadium - and she left everything out on the pitch!
The 25-year-old made a crucial block, two interceptions, two headed clearances and won two tackles as she limited the Seagulls to little joy in the attacking third.
The Finland international has slotted seamlessly into West Ham’s defence, starting every match in all competitions since her arrival in January.
4. Riko running straight to Emma!
There were wholesome celebrations at Chigwell Construction Stadium when Ueki put the Hammers ahead in the second half. As soon as the ball hit the back of the net, the striker wheeled away with her arms wide heading straight to Emma Harries, one of her closest friends in the squad.
The pair embraced before being joined by the rest of the team in jubilant scenes!
5. Signing off with three points before the international break
West Ham’s players can now represent their countries knowing they have secured another valuable three points in the WSL, as Skinner’s side moved up to eighth with victory over the Seagulls.
And this international break will go down in Claret and Blue history with 18 players heading out on duty, a record for the women’s team! This includes midfielder Dagný Brynjarsdóttir, who has been called up to Iceland’s squad for the first time since becoming a mum of two in April 2023.
A full guide on the players’ international fixtures will be released in due course.
