West Ham United women's team 1-0 Leicester City
Barclays Women’s Super League, Chigwell Construction Stadium, Sunday 10 November 2024, 3pm GMT
Viviane Asseyi’s composed finish in first-half stoppage time claimed West Ham United women’s team their first victory of the 2024/25 Barclays Women’s Super League campaign with a 1-0 success at home to Leicester City.
As it looked like the two sides were going to head into the break with the score goalless, Manuela Paví brilliantly unlocked the Leicester defence with her trickery before threading the ball to Asseyi, who showed superb calmness to round goalkeeper Janna Leitzig and slot the ball into an empty net.
While there was only one goal in the game, Rehanne Skinner’s side created an abundance of opportunities in a dominant display at Chigwell Construction Stadium. Riko Ueki was a constant threat, and she was denied from close range by Leitzig in the second half, as Oona Siren and Asseyi also tested the Leicester shot-stopper on multiple occasions.
The Hammers, who showed one change to last week’s defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, with Li Mengwen replacing Camila Sáez, started on the front foot and came close to breaking the deadlock just six minutes into the contest. However, Leitzig was alert to parry Asseyi’s cross away from Ueki’s outstretched leg.
The Irons’ bright start continued with impressive runs from Ueki and Katrina Gorry driving Skinner’s side up the pitch, but both chances were cut out by the Leicester defence. Ueki, fresh from a brilliant headed goal in north London last weekend, then fired an effort at Leitzig before the flag was raised for offside.
Responding to the Hammers’ early dominance, Leicester fashioned an opening when Hannah Cain broke into the penalty area, but the forward dragged her left-footed shot wide of Kinga Szemik’s right-hand post. Minutes after, Irons skipper Gorry saw an effort from range held by Leitzig.
Skinner’s side continued to pose a threat in the attacking third as Shelina Zardosky’ stabbed effort from Asseyi’s free-kick was saved by Leitzig before Siren’s strike from the edge of the box flew over the crossbar.
Nine minutes before the break, Gorry’s sliding challenge in the center circle won possession back superbly for the Hammers, who had four attackers charging at Leicester defence. The captain played Ueki through but her cross was intercepted by Leitzig, with Seraina Piubel, Paví and Gorry waiting to pounce.
Skinner’s side were by far the better team in the first half and in the sixth minute of added time, they found a deserved opener. A weaving run from Paví allowed her to thread Asseyi through on goal, and the France international kept her cool to round Leitzig before slotting the ball home.
The Hammers did not let half-time derail their momentum as they came out with the same intensity at the start of the second period, which was only two minutes old when the hosts came close to doubling their advantage. A well-timed flick from Asseyi sent left-back Anouk Denton darting into the penalty area and her cross found Siren on the edge of the box, whose well-struck volley was held by the goalkeeper.
Just after the hour mark, Paví unleashed a venomous right-footed effort from the right corner of the box that rippled the side netting, as the Hammers remained in control.
Moments later, Ueki burst into the penalty area and looked to be taken down but after the referee waved away the appeals, the striker got back up to fire a low strike at goal that Leitzig parried away.
Both sides struggled to create many clear-cut chances in the latter stages of the game, with Courtney Nevin firing a free-kick wide of the mark for the visitors while Asseyi looked to add a second late in the day, but her fierce effort from close range stung the gloves of Leitzig.
Five minutes were added at the end of the second half, but the Hammers held on to claim their first league victory of the season, with a trip to the AMEX Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion to come next on Saturday 16 November.
West Ham United: Szemik, Denton (Brynjarsdóttir 89), Mengwen, Tysiak, Zadorsky, Siren, Gorry ©, Piubel, Paví (Smith 80), Ueki, Asseyi
Subs not used: M.Walsh (GK), Sáez, Cooke, Bergman Lundin, Houssein, S.Walsh, Harries
Goal: Asseyi 45+6
Booked: Paví 80
Leicester City: Leitzig, Nevin, Howard, Cayman © (Takarada 66), Ale (Bott 76), Goodwin (Thibaud 89), Cain (Rose 66), Kees, Chossenotte, Momiki, Mace
Subs not used: Dowsett (GK), Pelgander, Swaby, Sherwood, Groves
Booked: Mace 30, Ale 70, Momiki 84, Thibaud 90
Referee: Elizabeth Simms
Attendance: 1617
