West Ham 0-4 Chelsea: Blues ease to victory to return to top of WSL

Chelsea returned to the top of the Women’s Super League table with victory at West Ham, putting them in pole position to defend their title with two games remaining.

Emma Hayes’ side, recently crowned FA Cup champions, are chasing a fourth successive league title.

It was a routine win in London as Pernille Harder capped off another impressive display with a goal.

Niamh Charles, Sophie Ingle and Erin Cuthbert were also on the scoresheet.

Victory ensures Chelsea sit two points clear of challengers Manchester United – who they beat at Wembley on Sunday – having played 20 matches each.

In a pulsating title race, Chelsea also extended their advantage in goal difference, moving four above Manchester United.

They held a narrow 1-0 lead at the break thanks to Charles against a stubborn West Ham side who have not won a game in the WSL since December.

Harder’s clinical finish shortly after the break doubled their lead and Chelsea were never really troubled at the Chigwell Construction Stadium as Ingle pounced on a rebound to make it 3-0 and substitute Cuthbert added a sublime fourth.

“Once again it’s a great team effort because we’ve played so many games back-to-back,” Chelsea manager Hayes told Sky Sports.

“We want to keep clean sheets, that’s important. We got an early goal but didn’t build on it. We struggled in creating the overload like we wanted to and had to adjust that at half-time.

“I don’t talk about goals, I talk about performance. I wanted them to go out and build on the first half performance.”