Chelsea Thrash 10-player West Ham to Reclaim Top Spot

At a glance

• Chelsea score three goals in opening 15 minutes
• Aggie Beever-Jones nets fourth WSL goal in as many games
• West Ham’s Ines Belloumou sent off for hair pull
• PLAYER RATER

Chelsea scored three goals in seven minutes to maintain their unbeaten start to the Women’s Super League season by thrashing 10-player West Ham.

Aggie Beever-Jones opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a brilliant free-kick from the edge of the box into the top corner for her fourth goal in as many league games.

Sweden international Johanna Rytting Kaneryd scored the second four minutes later after she was left completely free in the box to tap home Wieke Kaptein’s low cross.

And Chelsea’s third followed in the 15th minute when Erin Cuthbert let fly from 20 yards to leave Kinga Szemik helpless in the West Ham goal.

To compound the home side’s misery, Algeria full-back Ines Belloumou – making her first start for the Hammers – was shown a straight red card in the 23rd minute for pulling American forward Alyssa Thompson’s hair.

With 20 minutes left, Catarina Macario crossed low into the path of Kaptein who stabbed home as Chelsea made it four WSL wins from the opening four games.

It sent them back to the top of the table, two points clear of Manchester United who beat Liverpool earlier on Sunday.

Rehanne Skinner’s West Ham remain pointless and rooted to the bottom of the table.

Chelsea analysis: Early goals lead to dominant display

Once Chelsea went ahead, there was only destined to be one winner.

In their most convincing performance of the season so far, they ended the game as a contest after just 15 minutes and handed a further advantage when Belloumou was dismissed.

Even before the goal blitz, Cuthbert had a shot from the edge of the box palmed away by Szemik and Kiera Walsh sent an effort from distance over the bar.

Chelsea’s attacking threat proved too much for a dismal West Ham side with Kaptein having a shot blocked and also hitting the post before the break.

More chances followed as the lively Macario sent a fierce strike against the post, while fellow substitute Sam Kerr’s angled effort was well saved by the legs of Szemik in the closing stages.

While the Blues scored four goals in a game for the first time since April against Crystal Palace, it should have been more against the Hammers.

With 12 points from a possible 12, it is clear, though, that Sonia Bompastor’s defending champions have another WSL title firmly in their sights.

West Ham analysis: Pointless Hammers punished for woeful defending

Before kick-off, there was a minute’s applause for Matt Beard, who managed both clubs and passed away last Saturday.

West Ham manager Skinner and Paul Green, head of women’s football at Chelsea, jointly laid a wreath in the centre circle to pay their respects.

The hosts made a bright start with striker Viviane Asseyi sending an effort wide, before another shot dribbled just past the post.

Two minutes later, ruthless Chelsea were ahead and there was no turning back.

West Ham’s defensive woes were summed up by midfielder Riko Ueki’s loose pass back towards goal which was pounced on by Cuthbert for the visitors’ third goal.

And Skinner’s side contributed to their own downfall.

Belloumou’s red card for pulling Thompson’s hair was a flashback to an incident that occurred in the quarter-finals of the Euros with Germany’s Kathrin Hendrich sent off for doing similar to France centre-back Griedge Mbock in the box.

It just made West Ham’s task even harder and their only chance of a consolation was when Ffion Morgan – making her first start for the Hammers – went clean through, but her finish was blocked by the legs of Chelsea goalkeeper Hampton.

But seconds later, the Blues scored their fourth through Kaptein.

The Hammers have now conceded four or more goals in three successive WSL games for the first time ever. In addition, they have lost six consecutive in the league, the worst record in the club’s history.

Things need to improve quickly if they are to pick up points and avoid a relegation battle.Media caption,

Beever-Jones opens Chelsea scoring with ‘majestic’ free-kick

What’s next for both teams?

Chelsea travel to second-placed Manchester United in the WSL on Friday, 3 October (19:30 BST), while West Ham host Aston Villa on Sunday, 5 October (11:55 BST).

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Credit: www.bbc.com