Chelsea cruised past West Ham United at Victoria Road, climbing to the summit of the Women's Super League standings, even though they have played one more match than title‑holders Manchester City, who host Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. The Blues had to dig deep for their win; it was not until eight minutes before the break that they finally found the net.
Summer acquisition Melvine Malard, who arrived from Manchester United, calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give Chelsea a deserved lead. After the interval West Ham continued to apply pressure on Sonia Bompastor's side, but the turning point arrived with ten minutes remaining. England midfielder Keira Walsh struck from the edge of the box, netting her third goal of the campaign and effectively sealing the result.
Chelsea added a further tally when Maika Hamano rose to meet a cross and headed home from the far post with just three minutes left, preserving their unbeaten start to the season. In a separate fixture, London City Lionesses confirmed their status as serious title contenders with a dominant 6‑1 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur. The Spurs, who had remained unbeaten in the top flight up to that point, were completely outclassed. Spanish star Alexia Putellas opened the scoring within three minutes, capitalising on a rebound after Grave Geyoro’s long‑range effort was deflected into her path.
She added a second shortly thereafter, demonstrating why she is regarded as one of the world’s elite forwards. The Lionesses’ second goal emerged from a slick team move: Lucia Corrales delivered a cross that Kadidiatou Diani flicked into an empty net, marking the French forward’s first WSL goal.
Putellas completed her hat‑trick from a corner, thanks to a well‑timed run by Danielle van de Donk, who later missed a clear chance that would have made it 4‑0. Tottenham’s only bright moment in the first half came when Julie Blakstad’s free‑kick struck the bar after a superb delivery.
However, the second half saw the pressure intensify. Corrales again found Diani, whose finish slipped under goalkeeper Lize Kop. Spurs managed to pull one back when Victoria Pelova finished from a cross by Blakstad, but defensive frailties persisted. A Kop clearance ricocheted to Diani, who tapped in her second goal.
In the dying seconds, Delphine Cascarino squeezed another finish past the struggling keeper, completing a six‑goal haul for London City. Further down the table, Ruby Mace answered her omission from Sarina Wiegman's England squad with a brace in Everton’s 2‑1 triumph over Birmingham City.
After being controversially left out of the Lionesses’ roster for the upcoming international break, Mace made her point early, converting a rebound after Yuka Momiki’s effort hit the post. Everton dominated the opening exchanges, with Mace and Maria Vignolia forcing Birmingham keeper Sophie Baggaley into several early saves. Birmingham’s Oceane Hurtre, who has now scored five goals in five WSL appearances, reduced the deficit after a well‑timed run and a low finish. Everton were then forced to cope with a serious injury to Zara Kramzar before the interval, and Birmingham controlled much of the second half.
Hurtre’s penalty appeal was turned down, and Lily Crosthwaite’s curling effort drifted wide. Mace restored Everton’s lead with a long‑range strike that took a double deflection before finding the far corner.
Birmingham have yet to register a win since returning to the top flight and sit second‑bottom, while Everton sit fifth and have reclaimed a spot above Merseyside rivals Liverpool after last week’s derby loss. In another close‑fought encounter, Abbie Larkin earned Crystal Palace a point with a thunderous long‑range effort that levelled the score after Noelle Maritz gave Aston Villa the lead. Palace, under interim manager Brian Sorensen following the dismissal of Natalia Arroyo, were on the brink of their first win of the season but settled for a draw at Villa Park. Maritz’s first‑time finish put Villa ahead early in the second half, but Larkin surged forward from midfield and unleashed a low shot that bounced past goalkeeper Akane Okuma.
Both sides created further chances: Villa substitute Georgia Mullet side‑footed a close‑range effort over the bar, and Palace’s Shannon O'Brien missed a golden opportunity in stoppage time. Brighton & Hove Albion delivered a crushing defeat to newcomers Charlton Athletic, with Kiko Seike scoring a brace as the visitors suffered their fifth loss of the campaign. Charlton’s Cassandra Korhonen gave her side an early lead in the third minute, tapping in after her initial shot was saved. Brighton responded quickly when Seike tapped in from close range following a well‑executed move by Olivia Garcia.
The winger then set up a second Brighton goal, driving down the left and delivering a low pass to Fran Kirby, who slotted home before the break. After the interval, Seike restored Brighton’s lead with a composed finish, and the hosts piled on the misery for Charlton in stoppage time.
Maisie Symonds’ cross found the back of the net, and Gabrille George headed home to seal a comprehensive victory. The result underscores Brighton’s growing confidence and highlights the challenges that newly promoted teams face in adapting to the pace and quality of the WSL.
Overall, the weekend’s action showcased the depth of talent across the league, with established powerhouses reinforcing their positions and ambitious clubs like London City and Brighton delivering statements of intent. The competition remains wide open, promising further excitement as teams vie for European qualification and the ultimate prize of the championship.