Manchester United Women 4-0 West Ham United
Barclays Women's Super League, Old Trafford, Saturday 25 March 2023
West Ham United Women were on the end of a 4-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
After a first half which saw Paul Konchesky's side grow into the contest and put in a hard-working first 45 minutes, Hawa Cissoko fouled Alessia Russo in the box and United skipper Katie Zelem dispatched the spot kick.
A brace from Lucía García and a strike from Hayley Ladd sealed a convincing win for the home side in the second half.
The Hammers began the game under pressure, with Marc Skinner’s team looking to get the home crowd behind them early on. Mackenzie Arnold was called into action with five minutes on the clock, as she was alert to collect three crosses into the area in quick succession.
Ona Batlle led the assist standings for the home side heading into the clash at Old Trafford, and she almost added another one with eight minutes gone. Her charging run forward saw space open up for her to play in Alessia Russo, who should have done better from eight yards out.
United continued to dominate the opening stages of the game, but the Irons remained compact in their shape, and looked to find Amalie Thestrup on the shoulder of the last defender when they did have the opportunity to break away.
The Hammers were able to fashion an opportunity of note – one that left Mary Earps in a heap and requiring treatment. A cross caused difficulty for the England goalkeeper as Dagny Brynjarsdottir challenged her in the box. The midfielder couldn’t steer the loose ball home from close in, but Earps required treatment.
Konchesky’s side settled and were able to establish some rhythm to their play. Lucy Parker tried to slip in Thestrup when perhaps the better option was to shoot. Up the other end, Leah Galton went close with a header, but it was an effort that was straightforward for Arnold.
The Irons went in level at the break, having produced a hard-working display in the opening 45 minutes.
After the interval, Russo went close with her head again, as she met a Zelem corner with force, but thankfully the effort flew over.
Russo and Zelem would both contribute in different ways to United’s opener. Russo with felled by Cissoko in the area as the defenders trailing left leg clipped the forward and brought her down. Skipper Zelem stepped up and slotted the ball beyond Arnold.
And the home side would add a second on 65 minutes as they seized on a mistake from Risa Shimizu. A wonderful ball from Ella Toone found substitute Garćia in space in behind, and she made no mistake in slotting the ball beyond Arnold.
United had time to add one more in the second half, with Ladd being found by Batlle and subsequently burying a third goal to Arnold’s right.
Before the final whistle sounded, Arnold did superbly to save a fierce strike from Martha Thomas, but García was there to add a second and United’ fourth of the evening to round off the game.
Manchester United: Earps, Batlle, Blundell, Turner (Mannion 80), Le Tissier, Ladd, Zelem, Galton (Thomas 66), Toone, Parris (Garćia 55), Russo (Williams 80).
Unused Subs: Baggaley, Bøe Risa, Riviere, Leon, Cascarino.
Goals: Zelem 52, Garćia 65, 89, Ladd 85.
West Ham United: Arnold, Shimizu, Fisk, Cissoko (Cooke 79), Smith (Denton 79), Parker, Hayashi (Longhurst 79), Brynjarsdottir, Snerle (Atkinson 69), Asseyi, Thestrup (Evans 64).
Unused Subs: Hillyerd, Filis.
Referee: Emily Heaslip
Attendance: 27,909
