Chelsea cruised to a comfortable win against West Ham United at Victoria Road, propelling them to the summit of the Women's Super League standings, even though they have played one more match than title‑holders Manchester City, who are set to host Arsenal later on Sunday afternoon. The London side had to exert themselves to claim the three points, and it was not until eight minutes before the break that they finally found the back of the net. Summer acquisition Melvine Malard, who arrived from Manchester United, calmly slipped the ball into the bottom corner with a composed finish that broke the deadlock.
After the interval the Hammers continued to test Sonia Bompastor's side, creating several half‑chances and keeping the Blues on their toes. The decisive moment arrived with ten minutes remaining when England midfielder Keira Walsh struck from the edge of the box, slotting home her third league goal of the season and putting the game beyond doubt. Chelsea added a further tally in injury time when Maika Hamano rose above the defence to head a far‑post cross into the net, sealing a 2‑0 victory and preserving their unbeaten start to the campaign.
In a separate fixture, Manchester City demonstrated why they are the benchmark for the title race, dismantling Tottenham Hotspur with a commanding 6‑1 triumph. The Spurs, who had remained unbeaten in the top flight up to that point, were overwhelmed as Spanish star Alexia Putellas found the net twice, following her opening goal against Brighton the previous weekend. Putellas made an immediate impact, scoring within three minutes after a rebound from a long‑range effort by Grave Geyoro was palmed into her path. City’s second goal emerged from a well‑executed team move: Lucia Corrales delivered a cross that Kadidiatou Diani tapped in, marking the French forward’s first WSL goal.
Putellas completed a hat‑trick‑like performance by heading in from a corner after a clever pass from Danielle van de Donk, who later missed an open‑goal chance that would have made it 4‑0. Spurs managed a solitary reply when Victoria Pelova finished from a left‑wing cross by Julie Blakstad, but defensive frailties continued to haunt them.
A clearance by goalkeeper Lize Kop ricocheted to Diani, allowing the Lionesses striker to double her tally with a simple tap‑in. Near the final whistle, Delphine Cascarino added the sixth goal, slipping the ball under a struggling Kop. Elsewhere, Everton’s forward Ruby Mace responded to her omission from Sarina Wiegman's England squad by delivering a brace in a 2‑1 victory over Birmingham City. After being controversially left out of the Lionesses’ upcoming international break, Mace opened the scoring when she finished a well‑timed move inside the box, capitalising on a rebound after Yuka Momiki’s effort struck the post.
Everton dominated the opening exchanges, with Mace and Maria Vignolia forcing Birmingham keeper Sophie Baggaley into early saves. Birmingham’s Oceane Hurtre, who has now scored five goals in five WSL matches this season, pulled one back after a breakaway finish, but Everton were forced to cope with a serious injury to Zara Kramžar before the interval.
In the second half, Birmingham’s penalty appeal was dismissed and Lily Crosthwaite’s curling effort went wide. Mace then struck a long‑range shot that took a double deflection before finding the far corner, securing her second goal and sealing Everton’s win. Birmingham continue to struggle, still winless since their promotion and sitting second‑bottom, while Everton climb back to fifth place, overtaking Merseyside rivals Liverpool after last week’s derby loss.
Crystal Palace earned a valuable point thanks to a long‑range strike from Abbie Larkin, which levelled the score after Noelle Maritz had given Aston Villa the lead. Palace, under interim manager Brian Sorensen following the dismissal of Natalia Arroyo, were on the verge of their first win of the season when Larkin surged forward from midfield and fired a low shot that bounced past goalkeeper Akane Okuma.
Both teams created late chances: Villa substitute Georgia Mullet side‑footed a close‑range effort over the bar, and Palace’s Shannon O'Brien missed an even better opportunity in stoppage time, leaving the match dead‑locked at 1‑1. In another match, Brighton’s Japanese international Kiko Seike netted a brace as the Seagulls handed newcomers Charlton Athletic their fifth defeat of the season.
Charlton’s Cassandra Korhonen had given the visitors an early lead in the third minute with a tap‑in after her initial shot was saved. Brighton equalised when Seike tapped in from close range after Olivia Garcia’s well‑timed pass. Seike then set up a second Brighton goal, driving down the left wing and delivering a low cross for Fran Kirby to finish before the break. After the interval, Seike added a third goal, cementing Brighton’s control of the game.
Charlton’s misery continued in stoppage time when Maisie Symonds’ cross was headed in by Gabriele George, completing a 4‑1 victory for Brighton. These results highlight the widening gap between the league’s frontrunners and the teams still finding their footing in the Women’s Super League, as the season progresses and the race for the title, European spots, and survival intensifies.