WSL: Chelsea beat West Ham to go top ahead of Manchester United, Arsenal consolidate third spot with win over Everton

Chelsea returned to the top of the Women’s Super League table after securing a 4-0 victory against West Ham, placing them in a favourable position to defend their title with only two games remaining.

Under the leadership of Emma Hayes, Chelsea, who recently won the FA Cup, is striving for a remarkable fourth consecutive league championship.

During the first half, Chelsea had a 1-0 lead courtesy of Niamh Charles.

Pernille Harder’s clinical finish shortly after the break extended Chelsea’s lead, as the visitors continued to dominate against a side that have failed to win a league game since December.

Sophie Ingle capitalised on a rebound to make it 3-0, and substitute Erin Cuthbert added a fourth in added time.

By clinching the victory, Chelsea now holds a two-point advantage in the league over their closest competitors, Manchester United, with both teams now having played 20 WSL matches thus far.

The Blues also widened their lead in goal difference, now four goals ahead of United.

Up in Merseyside, Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord scored two in a comfortable 4-1 win against Everton as the North London side look to qualify for the Champions League.

Arsenal impressively established a 4-0 lead before half-time. An early brace from Foord’s along with Katie McCabe’s long range shot, and Lotte Wubben-Moy’s header had the visitors well in control.

It continued to be a match to forget for the home side as Everton went down to ten players in the 49th minute.

Aggie Beever-Jones was sent off for a late challenge on Lia Walti, who had to be taken off the field on a stretcher. Beever-Jones was initially just booked for the incident, but after a discussion amongst the officials, the yellow was taken back for a straight red.

Everton did manage to score a late goal in the 86th minute through Katja Snoeijs to reduce the scoreline, but it was too little too late to mount a serious comeback.

Jonas Eidevall’s team, currently occupying third place in the Women’s Super League table, are now three points ahead of Manchester City enter the final two games of the season knowing that European qualification is within their control.