West Ham United

Preparations for West Ham United's return to Premier League action ramped up on Thursday as our internationals returned to Rush Green.

The Irons are set to take on Tottenham Hotspur in a mouthwatering tea-time derby at London Stadium on Saturday, with Graham Potter's men eager to build on a fine 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest last time out.

With home debuts in prospect for the likes of Mateus Fernandes, Soungoutou Magassa and Igor Julio, as well as the return of Łukasz Fabiański to the Club this week, there were smiles aplenty as the work intensified on Thursday.

Premier League, London Stadium, Saturday 13 September 2025, 5.30pm BST

West Ham United welcome Tottenham Hotspur to London Stadium on Saturday for a fixture that will be broadcast live in the UK by Sky Sports, looking to build on the thrilling triumph over Nottingham Forest before the international break.

The Hammers produced a superb late flourish to beat the Tricky Trees 3-0 and register our first Premier League win of the season, and now we approach our second London derby of the season, hoping to boost our current 16th-place standing.

Spurs enjoyed a positive start to the campaign, having won their opening two games against newly-promoted Burnley and Manchester City without conceding, although a narrow loss before the international break at home to AFC Bournemouth denied them a third straight victory that would’ve seen them sit second in the Premier League table.

Boss Thomas Frank, who was the Premier League’s second-longest serving manager after almost seven years at Brentford, has earned plenty of plaudits for the job he has done so far in north London since his appointment, and he’s set to manage his first London derby in charge of the Lilywhites.

All signs point to an enticing match-up at London Stadium then, with both teams full of confidence and aiming to further their momentum after the September international break.

Tickets…

Tickets have sold out, but you can still be there as Season Ticket Holders who cannot attend relist their seats for other supporters to buy.

Click HERE to check availability, with prices starting at £50 Adults and £37.50 Concessions.

Supporters are urged to arrive early at London Stadium on Saturday as security and ticket checks will be in place at all entry points.

Travel…

There are planned disruptions to TfL Underground services on the District, Piccadilly, Waterloo & City and Windrush lines, though the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Elizabeth line, are scheduled to run as normal. Supporters using these services are highly recommended to check their routes before departure.

There are minor disruptions expected across Greater Anglia and the Southeastern network that serves Stratford International.

Stratford and Stratford City Bus Stations are located in close proximity to Stratford Station. Buses that run to these stations are numbers: 25, 86, 97, 104, 108, 158, 241, 257, 262, 276, 308, 425, 473, D8.

Supporters using public transport are advised to check their journeys before they travel, using resources such as TfL’s Journey Planner and the TfL Go app. Supporters may also wish to visit the National Rail website if travelling on the rail network.

There is no parking available at London Stadium. Restrictions will be in place and enforced in the local area.

How To Follow…

Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off has been selected for live broadcast in the UK by Sky Sports. If you live outside the UK, click HERE for details of Premier League listings in your territory.

You can follow the action via our live blog on whufc.com and our app, and across our social media channels. We will also have a match report, highlights and exclusive reaction for you after the final whistle on our website and social media.

Live audio commentary will be available in the UK on BBC 5 Live Sport, and worldwide on our official website and app.

We Are West Ham. United...

West Ham United has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination. Equality, equity, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the Club and we are committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcome to attend our fixtures in a safe environment.

Any form of discriminatory behaviour or chanting, including anti-Semitic chanting, is unacceptable; it has no place in football and has serious criminal consequences. West Ham United will take the strongest possible action against any individual found to be engaging in such behaviour, including potential lifetime bans and referral to the police.

The Club can also face disciplinary action if any of its supporters are found to have engaged in this behaviour, which is not representative of the West Ham United fanbase and will not be tolerated by the Club.

West Ham United provides a number of support mechanisms on matchday to ensure that supporters can report any incidents discreetly and in confidence. To report any incidents during a match, you can speak with the nearest steward or Supporter Liaison Officer, or text our new reporting number on 07701 401966.

You can also contact West Ham United at [email protected]. Please provide as much information as possible, including the stand, row, seat number, description of the offender and incident.

We believe that the overwhelming majority of West Ham United supporters share these values and will work with us to continue to protect the Club’s status as an equity leader in the Premier League, a position recognised and acknowledged through our award and continuous retention of the Advanced level Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard - the League’s highest accolade attainable in this area. Anyone attending matches who does not share these values, does not share the diverse and inclusive values that West Ham United and our community stand for.

View our Supporter Conduct Charter for more information by clicking HERE.

Official Programme…

West Ham United’s 2025/26 Official Programme for Saturday's home Premier League derby against Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium is available to purchase online now!

Up to an incredible 132 pages for the whole of the fresh campaign, the publication remains the largest in English football, while once again each Premier League issue also comes with an eight-page pullout, complete with an eye-catching poster, a competitions page and plenty of games for our younger Hammers.

Still priced at just £4 (plus postage if purchasing online), the Official Programme represents superb value for money for supporters of all ages wanting exclusive interviews, attention-grabbing opinions and eye-catching photographs, plus the regular news, columns and statistics and insightful content from across all areas of the Club.

The Official Programme is the definitive Claret and Blue publication for West Ham fans.

Our third issue of the season is led by an extensive interview with summer signing Mateus Fernandes, who discusses his early football memories in Portugal, making his mark in the Premier League with Southampton, and his first few weeks as a Hammer.

We have Jarrod Bowen’s captain’s column and words from Head Coach Graham Potter, exciting new features with Tomáš Souček and James Ward-Prowse, a chat with rising comedy star and West Ham fan Jo Jarvie, and the second instalment of Steve Blowers’ new series marking 40 years since the success of 1985/86, in which he speaks to former Irons defender Steve Walford.

Also featuring exclusive columns galore, stats and in-depth analysis from Analytics United, the latest news from our Academy, women’s team and Foundation, plus a half-time quiz, statistics and the lowdown on our opponents from north London, the Official Programme is packed full of content for you!

Click HERE to purchase your copy!

Team News…

Boss Graham Potter will hold his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon. However, we know that Crysencio Summerville is back after recovering from his extended injury lay-off, having enjoyed a lively cameo appearance at the City Ground before the international break, while midfielder George Earthy is back in training after recovering from an ankle injury sustained early in pre-season, though he wasn't involved at Nottingham Forest.

Elsewhere, Brazilian attacker Luis Guilherme continues to work himself back to full fitness following a shoulder injury.

For Tottenham Hotspur, Yves Bissouma has yet to feature this season, sidelined by both injury and disciplinary issues, and he’s joined by Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Radu Drăgușin (ACL), James Maddison (ACL), Kōta Takai (foot) and Dominic Solanke (ankle) on the sidelines.

Opposition…

It has already been an historic year for Tottenham Hotspur.

The north Londoners ended their 17-year wait for major silverware by lifting the UEFA Europa League trophy in Bilbao in May, having edged out Manchester United 1-0 in a nerve-wracking final.

The victory, secured by Brennan Johnson’s first-half goal, came at the climax of an otherwise underwhelming 2024/25 season that saw Spurs finish a record-low 17th in the Premier League table.

Of course, having won the Europa League, most Tottenham supporters may say they do not particularly care how badly their team fared in domestic competition, but long-serving chairman Daniel Levy decided the manager who ended the club’s trophy drought had served his purpose and was surplus to requirements.

Australian Ange Postecoglou, who also led Spurs to the Carabao Cup semi-finals thanks to home wins over Manchester City and Manchester United, was dismissed in June, having delivered on his promise to deliver a trophy in his second season in charge. Then, at the start of September, Levy himself departed after 25 years at the helm.

Into the forthright Postecoglou’s seat in the dugout has moved a manager with seemingly a very different personality in Dane Thomas Frank, who built his reputation for shrewd and understated coaching brilliance during seven years at Brentford.

Having finished below local rivals Arsenal and outside the UEFA Champions League qualifying positions in each of the previous three seasons, Frank’s first task will be to make Spurs competitive in the Premier League again.

In eleven seasons between 2009/10 and 2019/20, Spurs never finished outside the top six, while Mauricio Pochettino led the club to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final and José Mourinho to the 2020 Carabao Cup final, albeit the Portuguese was not permitted the chance to lead his team out at Wembley Stadium by Levy.

Former Hammer Harry Redknapp, André Villas-Boas, Tim Sherwood, Nuno Espírito Santo and Antonio Conte have also had goes at leading Spurs to glory in the past 15 years or so, but none of them could deliver a major trophy to N17.

Postecoglou did so, but could not find a level of consistency to satisfy Levy, or a sizeable section of the Tottenham fanbase, who were happy to say ‘thank you and goodbye’ to ‘Big Ange’.

Frank has been given backing to buck the trend and tackle a 2025/26 season that sees Spurs return to the Champions League after a two-year absence.

Seven senior players have been signed, including Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United, Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and loan captures João Palhinha from Bayern Munich and Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain.

Now, it is down to the new manager to mould a team, quickly, to build on last season’s long-awaited success.

Previous Meetings…

West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur have met 58 times in the Premier League, with Spurs winning 27 to the Hammers’ 18, while 13 matches have been drawn.

The Irons are unbeaten in the sides’ last five Premier League matches at London Stadium. Before 1-1 draws in May 2025, April 2024 and August 2022, Michail Antonio scored the winner in October 2021 and was also on the scoresheet alongside Jesse Lingard in a 2-1 triumph over José Mourinho’s team behind closed doors in February of that year.

Tottenham did beat West Ham three times on the trot at home in all competitions between December 2021 and February 2023, until Jarrod Bowen and James Ward-Prowse strikes powered David Moyes’ men to a 2-1 win in north London in early December 2023.

Spurs did triumph in the teams' most recent meeting, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, however, with Kulusevski, Bissouma and Son Heung-min strikes, and an Alphonse Areola own-goal, powering Tottenham to a 4-1 win in October 2024.

This particular match-up also has a reputation for a wonderstrike or two. Manuel Lanzini rescued a point with a 30-yard screamer as the Hammers overturned a three-goal deficit to draw 3-3 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2020, while two years earlier Pedro Obiang stunned Wembley Stadium with an unstoppable long-range rocket in a game that finished 1-1.

Match Officials…

Referee: Jarred Gillett

Assistant Referees: Neil Davies and Steve Meredith

Fourth Official: Rob Jones

VAR: John Brooks

Assistant VAR: Natalie Aspinall

Jarred Gillett has been confirmed as the referee for West Ham United’s second successive home London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

The 38-year-old has been a part of Professional Game Match Officials Limited’s (PGMOL) Select Group 1 since the start of the 2021/22 season, after establishing himself in his native Australia and joining Select Group 2 in England in 2019.

He has 65 Premier League games under his belt, including six Hammers fixtures. One of those came last season, when Tomáš Souček and Jarrod Bowen goals powered Graham Potter’s men to a 2-0 victory away at Manchester United in May 2025.

So far this term Gillett has refereed in the English top flight on two occasions, during Manchester City’s 4-0 triumph at Wolves on the opening weekend and then Arsenal’s 5-0 home thrashing of Leeds a week later.

Besides his work in the Premier League, he took charge of the 2021/22 EFL League Two Play-Off final and the 2024 FA Community Shield, won by Port Vale and Manchester City respectively, while on the international stage he oversaw Greece’s 5-1 win over Belarus in FIFA World Cup qualifying earlier this month.

For more information about the officials, click HERE.

West Ham United’s 2025/26 Official Programme for Saturday's home Premier League derby against Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium is available to purchase online now!

Up to an incredible 132 pages for the whole of the fresh campaign, the publication remains the largest in English football, while once again each Premier League issue also comes with an eight-page pullout, complete with an eye-catching poster, a competitions page and plenty of games for our younger Hammers.

Still priced at just £4 (plus postage if purchasing online), the Official Programme represents superb value for money for supporters of all ages wanting exclusive interviews, attention-grabbing opinions and eye-catching photographs, plus the regular news, columns and statistics and insightful content from across all areas of the Club.

The Official Programme is the definitive Claret and Blue publication for West Ham fans.

Our third issue of the season is led by an extensive interview with summer signing Mateus Fernandes, who discusses his early football memories in Portugal, making his mark in the Premier League with Southampton, and his first few weeks as a Hammer.

We have Jarrod Bowen’s captain’s column and words from Head Coach Graham Potter, exciting new features with Tomáš Souček and James Ward-Prowse, a chat with rising comedy star and West Ham fan Jo Jarvie, and the second instalment of Steve Blowers’ new series marking 40 years since the success of 1985/86, in which he speaks to former Irons defender Steve Walford.

Also featuring exclusive columns galore, stats and in-depth analysis from Analytics United, the latest news from our Academy, women’s team and Foundation, plus a half-time quiz, statistics and the lowdown on our opponents from north London, the Official Programme is packed full of content for you!

Whether you are planning to be at the match, watch at home or are simply a loyal West Ham fan or collector, the easiest way to get your copy each week is to subscribe. Indeed, signing up for a seasonal subscription is the only way to guarantee every issue is delivered straight to your door.

Prices for seasonal subscriptions start at just £122 for UK delivery, and issues can be shipped worldwide regardless of where you follow the Claret and Blue Army from. The deal includes all home Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup matches.

Graham Potter has urged his players to build on their impressive Premier League triumph at Nottingham Forest last time out when they host Tottenham Hotspur in an enticing London derby this Saturday tea-time.

The Hammers emphatically bounced back from a tricky start to 2025/26 by firing three goals past a helpless Forest side in the final six minutes at the City Ground, with Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paquetá and Callum Wilson strikes sparking wild celebrations in the away end.

Such a performance and result marked the perfect way to sign off for the first international break of the campaign, with ten members of the first-team squad leaving to join up with their countries brimming with positivity.

There has been a balanced sense of excitement and determination at Rush Green over the last fortnight, with Potter and the members of the squad who remained in the English capital eager to really kick on as the season gets into full swing, and start to climb up the Premier League table.

Next up, the Irons welcome Thomas Frank’s Spurs to London Stadium for their second home derby in a row, and both sides will be desperate to end a run of three successive 1-1 draws in this fixture by claiming the full share of the spoils.

Having gone in a new direction under former Brentford boss Frank, following their UEFA Europa League title-winning exploits under Ange Postecoglou last term, Tottenham raced out of the blocks in August, notching five unanswered goals to see off Burnley and Manchester City, before they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by AFC Bournemouth late last month.

As both teams gear up for what promises to be a thrilling encounter, West Ham Head Coach Potter sat down with the gathered press for his pre-match press conference on Thursday, during which he was asked about recent transfer business, individual members of his squad and Saturday’s opponents.

Below are the main talking points…

Transfer business

As you can imagine, you have to be on your toes during the transfer window. An opportunity came up for Nayef [Aguerd] to leave, which was good for both him and us.

That then opened up an opportunity for Igor [Julio] to come in. He’s trained really well and fitted well into the group so far. He’s a really positive character, and I think he adds good balance and competition to the back line, because he can cover centre-back and full-back.

Łukasz [Fabiański] has come in, and again it was after an opportunity came up for Wes [Foderingham], which he felt was the right thing for him. That meant we were looking for someone to support the goalkeepers, like we’ve had, and Łukasz was the perfect candidate.

When you know Łukasz as well as we do, and who he is - as a footballer and as a person - it was an obvious choice for us. He certainly brings a lot of character, personality and high standards to the group, and I think that applies both on and off the pitch. He’s not at the start of his career, but there’s still life there yet, and I think his role here now can add another dimension to his development.

Back after the break

About half of the team went away, so we were left with a decent number. We’ve trained well and used the time well, and then it’s been nice to see the other players again as they’ve come back in.

As always, we kept up with the action we could, and watched the highlights and different things. Niclas [Füllkrug] is the only one who has picked up a slight issue, so things are good in that respect.

So far we’ve prepared as well as we can for the weekend, as some of the players continue to recover from their games and travel, but by Saturday, we’ll be ready for sure.

Looking to build on Forest feel-good factor

There were lots of things that contributed to the result at Forest. Mateus Fernandes came into the team just after we’d signed him, and he gave us an extra dimension, as did Crysencio Summerville, who did really well after coming off the bench.

Playing against a team in a different moment can also help, but there was a determination from the players that was born from the frustration, disappointment and anger after the first two games.

We knew we needed to do something about that, and that’s why after the match I said I was delighted for them. We had had to suffer, which isn’t pleasant, but the players did it together, and they did it well.

After a victory like that, you almost want to play again rather than go into an international break, but we’ve just had to use the time as well as possible and we’re all excited to get out there again.

Wilson and Summerville looking to go again

Callum’s [Wilson] been great, as we expected. He’s a fantastic professional, and a brilliant person to have around at the training ground.

We’re still building him up, because he arrived late and missed most of pre-season, but I thought the impact he made at Forest was fantastic. We’re delighted with him, but at the same time we understand what we’ve got to do to carry on helping him.

In terms of whether he’s ready to start, it’s important we do the right thing for him and the team. I think he’s the type of professional that can make a big impact, regardless of whether he starts or finishes.

The Forest game was the first time that we had Cry [Summerville] available since our first game in charge, ironically, so it was great to have him back. He gives us another dimension, and it’s good because he’s worked so hard to get back.

It’s been a long road for him, with a couple of setbacks, so credit to him for keeping going and showing great mental strength. We just need to help him enjoy his football, because if he does that, he’s going to be a big help for us.

Captain fantastic

I think Jarrod’s [Bowen] record (nine goal contributions in his last nine Premier League appearances) speaks for itself. He’s a goal threat.

His finish at Forest was at a very, very high level, with the way he took it early and showed incredible movement. He is a killer around the box.

He’s a great captain for us. He’s a great leader, and he speaks really well in small groups as well as to the wider team. He’s been a joy to work with, and I think everyone knows how important he is for us.

With those goals and those assists, there’s not too much else to say. It’s a great record.

Ready for Tottenham test

I think the motivation is clear for us. We know how important this game is for the Club and the fans, so we’re going to go out there and do the best we can to win.

There isn’t a big sample to look at from the season so far. We’ve played three Premier League games, and in this league you know that every match is going to be a challenge.

I’ve played against Thomas’ [Frank] teams a lot over the years, and there’ll be some things there like there was previously. He’s a very well-respected coach, and it’s going to be a tough game, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.

We want to carry on the feeling of positivity we had after Forest, do our best, and try to come away with all three points.

As West Ham United captain, a Hammer of nearly six years, husband to a West Ham-supporting wife and son-in-law to an Irons-mad father-in-law, Jarrod Bowen knows just how important our Premier League derby with Tottenham Hotspur is to every member of the Claret and Blue Army.

Whether it be for Bowen himself, wife Dani, father-in-law Danny Dyer or the millions of supporters around the world, every West Ham supporter wants to get the better of their local rivals at London Stadium this weekend.

A limited number of tickets remain available for the Saturday’s game HERE, and you can be there alongside Bowen and his family as the Hammers seek bragging rights and back-to-back Premier League wins following the outstanding 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest last time out.

Bowen was unstoppable at the City Ground, scoring a superb goal to continue his outstanding recent form - seven goals and four assists in his previous 12 appearances - and setting him up perfectly for England duty.

While the 28-year-old’s immediate priority is helping the Three Lions to a vital 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying victory in Serbia on Tuesday evening, he will then return to the Club he loves and lead the Hammers into their derby showdown with their London adversaries.

“I think for us now it's important that we got the win going into the international break,” he confirmed. “The manager has got a bit of time now before the next game, a big rival game as well. We've got Tottenham at 5.30 on a Saturday, so it's a great game for us, a great opportunity and we're feeling a better place now than what we did [before Nottingham Forest].

“It was massively important for us [to win at Forest so convincingly]. First two games, losing the way that we did at the position that was in, bottom of the league, conceded eight goals in two games. But to go to Nottingham Forest, win 3-0, and on another day could have scored even more, was a victory that before any international break it's a nice one to get.

“When you lose the first two and you have one more before internationals, you don't want to lose that third game to go to Nottingham Forest and win the way that we did gave everyone a real shot of confidence going into the break.”

Full of confidence personally and with confidence rising at West Ham collectively, Bowen is currently on international duty with England, having been recalled to the squad by Thomas Tuchel after the manager opted to look at other options in June.

After being rested for Friday’s win over Andorra at Villa Park, the versatile, in-form forward could be called upon for Tuesday’s showdown with Serbia in Belgrade. As he is ahead of Saturday’s derby at London Stadium, Bowen is relishing his opportunity to show the country what he can do in a Three Lions shirt.

“Attacking is probably the best options England’s had for a few years now,” he observed. “I've been in and out of squads for a couple of years, and always had that competition for places, and I think it's really good. I think it really brings the best out of you.

“I think for me it's a really big year. I've got a really big year at club level, and then also international level as well. You know there's a World Cup around the corner. So, I think for me, being back in the squad is just trying to show what I do at West Ham, week in, week out. I think that's all that I can do.

“I think even when I was out of the squad last time I felt like I was in a good place at club level and sometimes you don't get selected in the squad, and that's what you have to face. I was disappointed, but ultimately I couldn't change what happened.

“All I could do was have a good pre-season, try and come back in a really good place, and then work to be back into the first squad, which I've managed to do. Now, it's for me to take my opportunities if they come about here, and once this is done go back to my Club and keep doing the same things and almost kind of repeat that process and just trust in my own abilities.”

Join the Claret and Blue Army at London Stadium for Saturday's Premier League derby with Tottenham Hotspur! Click on the graphic below and secure your seats now!

Loan Watch | Herrick keeps clean sheet on Boreham Wood debut

Loan Watch | Herrick keeps clean sheet on Boreham Wood debut

Academy

West Ham had to weather an early storm from the hosts, as after just two minutes, Shelina Zadorsky was on hand to turn Jessica Naz’s left-wing cross behind for a corner. The Canada international then got her head to the resulting set piece to clear away the danger.

Spurs’ bright start continued in the opening ten minutes, but the best chance they yielded saw Olivia Holdt send a harmless shot wide of Szemik’s goal.

After a few bright signs on the counter attack, the Hammers crafted their first clear-cut opportunity of the half just before the 20-minute mark. An audacious flick from Asseyi started the move, sending Verena Hanshaw clear down the left. The full-back crossed to find Piubel, but she fired a first-time effort over the bar.

That only gave the east Londoners confidence. From the following goal kick, Riko Ueki chased down Naz and won the ball back outside the area before striking off target. Then, last season’s Hammer of the Year, Asseyi, curled a shot just over the bar after cutting in intelligently from the left.

The France international was soon involved again, this time whipping in a dangerous corner that nobody in Claret and Blue could force home, with Oona Siren, Katrina Gorry and Shekiera Martinez all having stabs inside the box.

There were then opportunities for both sides at the end of the first half. A lay-off from Spurs captain England resulted in Naz clearing the crossbar from the edge of the box before Asseyi tried another right-footed curling effort from the left corner of the box, but again came whiskers away from finding the top corner.

Having finished the first period brightly, the Irons came out quickly in the second and should have opened the scoring when Asseyi’s cross to the back post found an unmarked Piubel, but the No77 couldn’t direct her strike on target.

Not long after, Szemik was called into action, tipping away Holdt’s dipping cross. But in doing so, our No1 collided with the post and couldn’t continue, and was replaced by Walsh.

Skinner then also sent on Ffion Morgan, who replaced Piubel, for her competitive debut in Claret and Blue.

The Wales international had an immediate impact, bursting down the right, but her low cross was unable to find Asseyi in the middle.

Skinner’s side kept building. After some quick passing around the edge of Spurs’ box, Hanshaw fizzed in a low cross that Tōko Koga intercepted before it rolled to Martinez.

But up the other end, with six minutes of normal time to play, referee Phoebe Cross awarded the home side a penalty when Gorry was adjudged to have fouled Eveliina Summanen inside the box. Spurs skipper England stepped up and, despite Walsh going the right way, slotted the ball home into the bottom-right corner.

The visitors were unable to conjure up a clear-cut opportunity in eight minutes of added time at the end of the second half, meaning England’s penalty was the difference between the two teams at full-time in east London.

Tottenham Hotspur: Kop, Nildén, Naz (Gunning-Williams 78), England © (Grant 98), Holdt (Graham 66), Rybrink, Hunt, Spence (Ahtinen 78), Summanen, Dennis (Tandberg 66), Koga

Subs not used: Heeps (GK), Jackson (GK), Oroz

Goal: England 86

Booked: Tandberg, Graham

West Ham United: Szemik (Walsh 56), Denton, Zadorsky, Nyström, Hanshaw, Gorry ©, Siren, Piubel (Morgan 63), Asseyi, Martinez (Paví 81), Ueki

Subs not used: Tysiak, Belloumou, Brasero, Wandeler, Houssein, Cemal

Referee: Phoebe Cross

Skinner: It's disappointing that we haven't got points based on the way we played

West Ham United manager Rehanne Skinner felt her side’s performance against Tottenham Hotspur warranted a positive result in their opening game of the Barclays Women’s Super League season.

The Hammers created some good openings at BetWright Stadium on Sunday afternoon and could have broken the deadlock. The best chance in the first half saw Spurs scramble a corner away after a melee in the box before Seraina Piubel failed to convert Viviane Asseyi’s cross from close range at the start of the second.

However, it was an 86th-minute penalty from Bethany England, Spurs’ first shot on target, that won the contest for the hosts after Katrina Gorry brought down Eveliina Summanen in the area.

The Irons boss was pleased with how her defence shut out their opponents for the majority of the contest and the way they created a number of opportunities in the final third - and hailed the support of the travelling Claret and Blue faithful, who sold out the away end.

I think we've created some fantastic chances today.

Obviously, we're bitterly disappointed to lose the game in the manner that we've lost it, when the only chance that they've had on target is from the penalty spot. That’s difficult because for us, we did create chances, and we've got to put those away. I think our best one was straight after half-time. It's a huge chance for us.

I think overall, we fought really hard, and we worked really well. I think our final ball into the final third in the first half maybe wasn't as good as what we're capable of, so that's definitely something we want to get right for the next game. It’s hugely disappointing that we haven't got points out of the game based on the way that we've played.

We limited them to few chances.

[They] didn't really break our back line. The threat in and around the (our) goal was minimal, to be honest. And so when those are the situations within the game, you're obviously really, really disappointed to then not come out of it with something, at least a point.

It would have been a really important point for us on the road as well to start the season. But look, I think based on the positives, our defensive shape and the work-rate from everybody, us getting into the final third was really positive. It's just those finishing touches.

So in terms of a progression from start to finish, I think we got better, but we just obviously want to make sure that we convert that into points.

The fans were fantastic.

We're delighted to play in front of our fans. They were unbelievable for us last year. At home, I think we were a real force to be reckoned with last year. Players take pride in that, and they want to maintain that.

It’s another London derby. I think that's going to be important, just the way that the players go about all of those games. The fans were fantastic today, and we obviously want to put on a good show for them on Friday.

Zadorsky: There's plenty of positives despite defeat

West Ham United vice-captain Shelina Zadorsky has pointed out the positives to take despite defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at BetWright Stadium on Sunday.

It was a narrow loss in east London, with the two sides only separated by a late second-half penalty, which saw Spurs captain Bethany England fire home from the spot in the 86th minute after Eveliina Summanen was brought down by Hammers skipper Katrina Gorry.

The Irons looked strong going forward, with reigning Hammer of the Year Viviane Asseyi, Seraina Piubel and new signing Ffion Morgan in particular showing flashes, but they were unable to breach the Tottenham defence.

Speaking to West Ham TV at full-time, Zadorsky said: “It's a tough one to take because I think we did so much good work in pre-season.

“There were good things today, but I think we had the goal-scoring opportunities to put the game away. As a team, we need to be better there.

“Obviously, a penalty is a tough one to go down on. We've got a game again on Friday, so we've got to learn quickly and bounce back, and we'll be ready.

“Personally, with the feeling on the pitch, I think definitely we started the second half bright too with a key chance. I thought we played some good football at times, switching the ball and finding gaps.

“They (Tottenham Hotspur) are a good team, so of course there were challenges, but I think we deserved more.

“I'm obviously a little frustrated at the moment, but when I look back, we will see how well, particularly the back line, communicated and solved problems together. I'm really happy with that.

“It's the small details in these games. So I think if we continue building on this, moving the ball forward, I think our attack will get better and better.

“I really wanted a clean sheet, but it's a learning experience, and we'll bounce back.

“It (Friday) will be a cracking atmosphere and a cracking game. It’s another London derby game, and I can't wait.”

West Ham United women’s team fell to a narrow opening-day defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon, as a late Bethany England penalty gave the hosts a 1-0 win at BetWright Stadium.

Rehanne Skinner’s side limited their opponents to few chances before the deadlock was broken on 86 minutes, with Spurs not registering a shot on target until their captain scored from the spot, up against Megan Walsh, who replaced the injured Kinga Szemik in the West Ham goal in the second half.

An overall positive display from the Hammers saw their best chance fall to Seraina Piubel, but the Switzerland international was unable to convert Viviane Asseyi’s cross right at the start of the second half.

Click the picture above to view a gallery of the best images of the season opener.

Report & Reaction | Hammers fall to narrow opening-day defeat at Spurs

Report & Reaction | Hammers fall to narrow opening-day defeat at Spurs

Women

Starting XI | Skinner names side for Spurs derby

Starting XI | Skinner names side for Spurs derby

Women

Barclays Women's Super League, BetWright Stadium, Leyton, Sunday 7 September 2025, 12noon BST

West Ham United women’s team’s 2025/26 Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) season begins on Sunday - and we have a London derby awaiting us to bring the curtain up on the new campaign.

Rehanne Skinner’s side will travel to Tottenham Hotspur - who they defeated twice last season in the Subway® Women’s League Cup and WSL - in front of the Sky Sports cameras, in what is set to be a mouth-watering opening-day clash.

The Hammers will look to make a fast start to the campaign in front of a sold-out away end, and four of our new signings could make their competitive debuts in Claret and Blue at BetWright Stadium in Sarah Brasero, Ffion Morgan, Yu Endo and Leila Wandeler. Furthermore, Brasero, Endo and Wandeler could play their first minutes in England’s top-flight against the Lilywhites.

As well as a host of new signings, the east Londoners head into the clash buoyed by a positive pre-season, which included victories over Sparta Prague in the Czech capital and fellow WSL outfit Liverpool, as well as a resolute display against UEFA Women's Champions League holders Arsenal.

So, with the big kick-off approaching, here’s everything you need to know about our clash with Spurs.

Tickets...

Tickets for our opening-day match with Spurs have sold out!

All tickets purchased will have been issued in a digital format via a download link.

How To Follow...

Our game with Tottenham Hotspur will be broadcast live on Sky Sports + for viewers inside the United Kingdom, with coverage starting from 11.55am BST.

Alternatively, you can keep up to date with the game via our Live Blog on whufc.com and by following our social media channels.

We’ll also have a report, reaction and highlights up on the website after the full-time whistle.

Travel...

BetWright Stadium, also known as Brisbane Road, is a ten-minute walk from Leyton Underground Station, which is situated on the Central line. It is just one stop from Stratford, which has connections to the Jubilee line, TFL Rail, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground and various National Rail Services.

Leyton is an eleven-minute journey by Tube from London Liverpool Street and is also easily accessible from other London mainline stations such as Kings Cross St Pancras, Euston, Waterloo, Victoria and Paddington.

Please note, Tube strikes are planned from midnight on the morning of Sunday 7 September. There will be disruption across the entire Tube network, with limited services running. Click HERE to visit Transport for London’s Journey Planner to up-to-the-minute travel news.

Walking to the ground will take less than ten minutes. Upon exiting the station, turn right and follow Leyton High Road for approximately 450 metres until Coronation Gardens is on your left. Turn down Buckingham Road after the park and the ground will be in front of you.

If using the London Overground, Leyton Midland Road is approximately a 15-minute walk from the stadium. From Leyton Midland Road, turn left towards Leyton and continue down the High Road past Leyton County Cricket Ground until you reach Osborne Road. Turn down Osborne Road and the East Stand is in front of you.

For those travelling by car, please use the postcode E10 5NF. Please note there is no public parking available at the stadium. Being located in a highly residential area, there is also extremely limited parking in the immediate area around the stadium. Many surrounding roads are for permit holders only and there are limited parking options elsewhere. If you do intend to drive to the match, please take care to avoid penalty fines when parking by reading signage.

Opposition...

The 2025/26 season presents a new dawn for Tottenham Hotspur, who head into the campaign under the stewardship of new head coach Martin Ho.

The 35-year-old was appointed in July, succeeding Robert Vilahamn, who departed after two seasons in charge at Tottenham, following a tenth-place finish last term.

Despite their position in the table, Spurs always looked comfortable of survival, finishing ten points clear of bottom side Crystal Palace and only five points off sixth place. But it was arguably their form in the second half of the season that saw Vilahamn relieved of his duties, as the Lilywhites were winless in their last eleven games in all competitions, with their last victory coming in January.

Former Everton and Manchester United assistant Ho spent the past two seasons at SK Brann in Norway’s top-flight, helping the Bergen club become the first-ever Norwegian team to reach the group stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

He will be hoping his Spurs side, who defeated north London rivals Arsenal in a pre-season friendly, can right the wrongs of the second half of last season with a fast start at home.

While there has been movement in the dugout, only two signings were made by Tottenham before Wednesday's deadline, which came in the form of defender Tōko Koga from Feyenoord and forward Cathinka Tandberg from Hammarby.

The latter, a Norway international, was signed on deadline day, whilst Hungary international midfielder Anna Csiki left Spurs to join the Hammers on loan for the 2025/26 season.

Goalkeeper Becky Spencer joined Chelsea on a permanent deal having spent the second half of last season on loan at the Blues, while Rosella Ayane left Tottenham after six years, during which she made 109 appearances. Meanwhile, Australia international Hayley Raso completed a move to Frauen-Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.

Previous Meetings...

It was a memorable night at Brisbane Road in the Subway® Women's League Cup last season for the Hammers, as they came from a goal down to run away 2-1 winners to reach the semi-finals of the competition. Seraina Piubel and Kirsty Smith came up with the goods on a cold January evening in east London.

Skinner’s side followed up the cup success with a convincing 2-0 victory at Chigwell Construction Stadium when the two teams met in the WSL in March - with a Josefine Rybrink own-goal and a late Viviane Asseyi free-kick securing the three points.

Conversely, Tottenham have lost just one of their six WSL home games against the Hammers.

The two teams have met 12 times in the WSL. The Lilywhites have won half of the match-ups, while the Irons have come out victorious on three occasions.