1. Paví's passion
When Manuela Paví was introduced to proceedings at half-time, the crowd serenaded her as she entered the fray - and it felt like the winger was always destined to produce something special under the lights.
The Colombia international has had to bide her time recently, starting one of the women’s team’s last six league matches, but she more than took her chance on Wednesday evening.
As the clock ticked into added time with City a goal up courtesy of Bunny Shaw’s close-range strike in the 80th minute, it looked like the visitors were going to snatch the three points. But the Hammers’ No11 continued to be a nuisance down the left and linked up well with Riko Ueki to enter the box. Paví fended off her marker and sent a curling shot into the bottom-right corner that kissed the inside of the post on its way in.
West Ham’s hero headed straight to the corner, grasping the Club’s crest with all her might, and was soon followed by the rest of the team, who were delighted for the 24-year-old.
2. Setting a new home record
Paví’s goal did not only mean a lot on the night, but it meant the women’s team set a new record. Rehanne Skinner’s side have now accrued 14 points at home in the Barclays Women’s Super League this term, beating the Hammers’ previous best of 13 in the 2021/22 campaign.
Only two teams, high-flying Chelsea and Arsenal, have left east London with maximum points this season.
Speaking in her post-match interview, Skinner said: “The fans have made a massive difference. The way the team and the fans have evolved in the last 18 months has been phenomenal.
“We said we wanted to bring a playing style that West Ham fans love, and that's getting more people in, which is creating the atmosphere, which is giving us the energy that we need to try and get these points over the line.”
3. Never-say-die mentality
Skinner hailed her side’s desire and confidence following their last-gasp equaliser on Wednesday.
Her team have chalked up five WSL points from losing positions this campaign, with only Brighton & Hove Albion (six) and Manchester City (ten) recording more, and have scored four league goals after the 80th minute.
4. More minutes for Princess
Princess Ademiluyi spent the first half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Charlton Athletic and Skinner clearly liked what she saw from the 18-year-old, as she kept her in her squad for the remainder of the campaign.
The striker received her first minutes in Claret and Blue this season late on in the Hammers’ trip to Liverpool in February, but was given a real chance to impress on Wednesday as Skinner sent on the No35 in the 57th minute.
The England U19 international joined Riko Ueki in leading the line against the Citizens and worked tirelessly throughout the second half.
