Chelsea continued their dominant start to the 2024-25 Women’s Super League campaign by comfortably defeating West Ham United at Victoria Road, a result that propelled them to the summit of the table despite having played one fewer match than the current leaders, Manchester City, who host Arsenal later on Sunday. The match was not a simple walkover; the Blues had to battle for their breakthrough, and it was only eight minutes before the halftime whistle that they finally found the net. Summer acquisition Melvine Malard, who arrived from Manchester United, displayed composure under pressure and slipped a low, curling shot into the bottom corner, giving Chelsea a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw West Ham continue to press, testing the resolve of Sonia Bompastor's side. However, Chelsea’s quality eventually shone through. With ten minutes remaining, England midfielder Keira Walsh, who has already recorded three goals this season, struck from the edge of the penalty area, extending the lead to 2-0 and effectively sealing the win. Just three minutes later, Japanese forward Maika Hamano added a further goal with a precise header from a far‑post cross, cementing a 3-0 victory and preserving Chelsea’s unbeaten run.
In another headline‑making fixture, Manchester City – often referred to as the London City Lionesses – demonstrated why they are serious title contenders by thrashing Tottenham Hotspur 6-1. The Spurs had entered the match unbeaten in the top flight, but the Lionesses dismantled them with a display of fluid attacking football. Spanish star Alexia Putellas opened the scoring just three minutes after kickoff, capitalising on a rebound when Grave Geyoro’s long‑range effort was palmed back into her path.
Putellas’ finish was a reminder of her lethal instincts and set the tone for the rest of the game. City’s second goal was the result of a well‑executed team move: Lucia Corrales delivered a low cross that Kadidiatou Diani met with a tap‑in, marking the French forward’s first WSL goal.
Putellas added a third from a corner, benefitting from a well‑timed run by Danielle van de Donk, who, despite missing an open chance later, helped maintain City’s momentum. Tottenham’s only bright moment in the first half came when Julie Blakstad’s free‑kick struck the bar, but the Lionesses responded swiftly after the break. Corrales again found Diani, whose shot slipped under goalkeeper Lize Kop, making it 4-0. Victoria Pelova managed a consolation for Spurs, finishing from a Blakstad cross, but a defensive lapse allowed Diani to tap in a second goal after Kop’s clearance fell to her.
Finally, Delphine Cascarino sealed the rout with a composed finish in the dying seconds, completing the 6-1 scoreline. Elsewhere, Everton’s forward Ruby Mace answered her omission from Sarina Wiegman’s England squad with a brace in a 2-1 win over Birmingham City. After a controversial snub, Mace made her feelings known 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 matches, pulled one back after a well‑timed run, but Everton’s resolve was unshaken. A serious injury to Zara Kramzar before halftime forced Everton to reshuffle, yet they remained in control. Mace’s second goal arrived from distance, taking a double deflection before curling into the far corner, sealing a deserved victory. 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 a recent derby loss.
Crystal Palace earned a valuable point at Aston Villa thanks to a long‑range strike from teenage prospect Abbie Larkin, which levelled the match after Noelle Maritz gave Villa an early second‑half lead. Palace, under interim coach Brian Sorensen following the dismissal of Natalia Arroyo, were on the verge of their first win of the season but settled for a draw after Larkin’s low shot beat goalkeeper Akane Okuma. Both sides had late chances: Villa substitute Georgia Mullet missed a close‑range effort, and Palace’s Shannon O'Brien squandered a clear opportunity in stoppage time, leaving the result at 1-1. Brighton & Hove Albion continued their impressive form by handing newcomers Charlton Athletic a heavy 5-2 defeat, with Japanese winger Kiko Seike scoring a brace.
Charlton’s Cassandra Korhonen opened the scoring in the third minute, capitalising on a tap‑in after her initial shot was saved. Brighton responded quickly; Seike finished a close‑range chance set up by Olivia Garcia, and later, after a swift drive down the left, she delivered a low pass to Fran Kirby, who slotted home before the break. The second half saw Seike add another goal, and Brighton’s dominance grew as they added two late goals in stoppage time: Maisie Symonds’ cross was turned in by an unmarked striker, and Gabrille George headed home to complete the rout. These results underline the growing gap between the league’s front‑runners and the clubs still finding their footing in the WSL.
Chelsea and Manchester City are clearly setting the pace, while teams like Tottenham and Birmingham must address defensive frailties if they hope to compete. Meanwhile, emerging talents such as Ruby Mace, Abbie Larkin and Kiko Seike are making a name for themselves, promising an exciting season ahead for English women’s football.