West Ham United women’s team defender Amber Tysiak says a first Barclays Women’s Super League win of 2025 is the best birthday present she could have asked for.
The Hammers arrived at Chigwell Construction Stadium searching for a first league win since December, but the Belgian international was in no doubt that her team’s togetherness and unity would see them through.
Shekiera Martinez opened the scoring by heading home her first goal for the Club from Viviane Asseyi’s corner with nine minutes on the clock, before Asseyi stepped up to coolly convert her eighth goal of the season in all competitions from a spot-kick after Seraina Piubel was brought down by Sara Holmgaard's sliding challenge in the box, and from that point on there was no coming back for the away side.
Tysiak, who was celebrating her 25th birthday in Dagenham on Sunday, was understandably thrilled with a memorable afternoon in east London, where the Hammers kept their first WSL clean sheet since November.
“I could not ask for a better birthday present,” Tysiak beamed. “Three points and a clean sheet, that's a nice feeling.
“It's been a while [since our last league clean sheet], and it's a good feeling. The clean sheet comes from the whole team, and we all worked so hard for each other and were just so solid defensively.”
The Hammers, buoyed by their Subway® Women’s League Cup quarter-final win against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, did not have to wait long for that inner belief to gain its reward, as the impressive Martinez found herself free to head the opening goal.
The No5 stressed how important it was to strike first in east London, and then subsequently establish a two-goal lead at the break.
“I think it [a two-goal lead] gave us a breather because the second half was a little bit more difficult," confirmed Tysiak.
“There were moments in the second half that were very ugly, but we have the three points, a clean sheet and that's what you want after a game.
“We have worked so hard the last couple of weeks, and we sometimes didn't get the result that we always wanted and deserved, but with moments like today, we finally got three points again, and it just feels great.
“We won against Tottenham, and now we won in the league, so we’re on a good run. I hope we can just go again on Wednesday and can win at home with our fans.”
During a pause in proceedings midway through the first half, dozens of fans were heard singing a special happy birthday to the centre-back, who recently signed a new long-term contract in east London.
And Tysiak already reckons it's a moment she’ll never forget.
“It was a very nice moment,” said Tysiak. “I will remember this moment for a long time. It's just nice having the fans behind us and behind me.”
