Chelsea Women delivered a dominant statement of intent in the Women's Super League title race, ruthlessly dispatching London rivals West Ham United with a 5-0 victory at Kingsmeadow. The comprehensive win, which featured a brace from Sandy Baltimore, piles pressure on league leaders Manchester City and casts a harsh light on the immense task facing West Ham's new manager, Rita Guarino.
Guarino's Nightmare Start in East London
The match marked a disastrous beginning for Rita Guarino's tenure as West Ham head coach. Appointed in December following the dismissal of Rehanne Skinner, the well-respected Italian manager saw her side capitulate in a first-half collapse. Four goals conceded before the break, stemming from a combination of defensive errors and a lack of confidence, left the Hammers with a mountain to climb against the reigning champions.
While a positive result at Kingsmeadow was always unlikely, the manner of the performance will alarm Guarino. Her team struggled to apply pressure, were careless in possession, and looked devoid of belief, leaving them locked in a relegation battle with Liverpool. The 54-year-old has a significant job ahead to instil her ideas and turn around the club's fortunes.
Chelsea's Relentless First-Half Onslaught
Chelsea, fresh from a warm-weather training camp in Portugal, started with ferocious intent and were rewarded inside the first minute. Lauren James, making just her third start of the season, released Ellie Carpenter whose low cross was turned into her own net by West Ham's unfortunate Yu Endo.
The pressure was unrelenting. Chelsea's second came from another defensive calamity on the half-hour mark, as goalkeeper Kinga Szemik's clearance cannoned off James and into the net. The third was a well-worked team move, finished by Alyssa Thompson from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's cross, before Baltimore curled a superb fourth into the top corner just before half-time.
Baltimore Seals the Deal from the Spot
Any hope of a West Ham resurgence was extinguished in bizarre fashion before the second half could even restart, as substitute Estelle Cascarino was denied her debut due to an issue with jewellery. Chelsea then added a fifth from the penalty spot after Viviane Asseyi was adjudged to have handled the ball. Sandy Baltimore stepped up to confidently convert, completing her double and rounding off a perfect afternoon for Sonia Bompastor's side.
The result breathes new life into Chelsea's title defence, moving them to within striking distance of Manchester City at the top. For West Ham, the search for answers and points continues, with Guarino's work clearly cut out after a brutal introduction to the WSL.
