:focal(1315x440:1317x438)/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/03/23/image-9f9017d0-5802-445c-9628-9f2389c67655-85-2560-1440.jpeg "West Ham beat Spurs to leapfrog London rivals in WSL - TNT Sports")
Published 23/03/2025 at 14:16 GMT
On a busy day of WSL action, West Ham United kicked things off with an impressive victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, thanks to an own goal and a last-minute free-kick. Manchester City are set to host Chelsea in a top-of-the-table clash later on Sunday, before Leicester City face Brighton & Hove Albion and struggling Aston Villa meet third-placed Manchester United at Villa Park.
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West Ham United beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Victoria Road to climb above their London rivals and go eighth in the Women's Super League table.
An own goal from Josefine Rybrink and a late Viviane Asseyi free-kick proved the difference between the teams.
Both sides began with plenty of attacking intent, but it was the hosts who had the game's first meaningful effort. Riko Ueki did well to set up Katrina Gorry, whose shot was well blocked.
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Spurs created the best chance of the early stages, though, when the ball fell to Ella Morris in the box. Her driven shot was straight at goalkeeper Kinga Szemik, who could only parry in the direction of Martha Thomas. But the out-of-form striker failed to connect properly, and West Ham escaped.
Tottenham were made to pay for that miss just a few minutes later. Verena Hanshaw drove into the box and drilled the ball across the face of goal, generating enough power to see the deflection off Rybrink deceive goalkeeper Lize Kop. It went down as an own goal for the unlucky Rybrink.
Spurs attempted to put some pressure on West Ham in response, but the final ball was lacking and the hosts dealt relatively comfortably with any crosses into the box.
While Tottenham huffed and puffed, the Hammers nearly made it 2-0 just after the half-hour mark when a scramble in the box fell to Shekiera Martinez, who could only turn and fire a shot wide from close range.
And an even better chance was squandered moments later as Oona Siren met a flicked-on corner and looked certain to score, only to guide her header straight at Kop from a few yards out.
Spurs searched for an equaliser before the break, with Drew Spence sending a shot wide before Eveliina Summanen struck the bar with a sumptuous free-kick.
The second half began with more Tottenham territory, but their struggles to break teams down and their vulnerability at the back appeared to be a continuing theme.
West Ham threatened from a corner again and Riko Ueki saw a header fly over the bar.
Tottenham were still a threat, though, and came close to a leveller when Morris surged down the right, cutting the ball back for Thomas, whose misfortune in front of goal continued with an effort that struck the post.
Soon after, Spence saw appeals for a penalty waved away after she went down in the box. And the frustration was growing for Spurs as the clock ticked down, particularly after Thomas had another half-chance, this time heading straight at Szemik.
As Spurs committed more players forward, they were picked off by West Ham, who sealed victory in the 90th minute through Asseyi, whose wide free-kick evaded everyone and found the bottom corner.
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