FootyChatter.com

Shekiera Martinez's first-half header was her first career Women's Super League goal West Ham showed ruthless efficiency to overcome Everton and claim their first win in three Women's Super League games. The visitors had made the best of the early running, Kelly Gago and Katja Snoeijs failing to find the target with headed chances before Shekiera Martinez broke the deadlock on six minutes. The West Ham forward showed the composure her counterparts had lacked to power home a corner inside the near post and claim her first WSL goal. Having provided the corner for the opening goal, Viviane Asseyi turned scorer for the second on the stroke of half-time. The France international stepped up to coolly convert a spot-kick after Seraina Piubel was brought down by Sara Holmgaard's sliding challenge in the box. After the break Everton's frustrations continued. Cross after cross was sent into the West Ham box but they could not deny the hosts a first clean sheet since November. The victory moves Rehanne Skinner's side a point and two places above Everton in 10th place, six points clear of the relegation zone. West Ham's victory was their third from 12 WSL games this season It is starting to seem as though Skinner has now steadied the ship at West Ham. After several key players opted to leave in the summer - the likes of captain and number one goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, defenders Risa Shimizu and Hawa Cissoko, and defensive midfielder Honoka Hayashi - many feared they would lack the experience and depth to survive another tricky relegation battle. Indeed, they suffered a rocky start to the season, losing three and drawing three of their opening six games. However, the Hammers have stabilised their form in the months since, and have also mastered a key facet of relegation fights - taking points from teams around them in the table. From their six games against teams currently in the bottom half of the table, West Ham have won three and drawn two, only failing to take any points from their trip to Aston Villa in December. In terms of points, they have taken 11 from a possible 18. West Ham rode their luck at times again on Sunday, with Everton dominating possession, shots on goal and expected goals metrics. However, they overcame early adversity and late pressure to run out comfortable winners. Should they continue to get the better of their bottom-half rivals, Skinner's side will not need to worry about the threat of relegation after all. After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Ask your WSL transfer deadline day questions Get the latest WSL news on our dedicated page Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 26th January 2025 at 16: 55 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Rehanne Skinner Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Brian Sørensen Formation: 4 - 4 - 1 - 1 Manager: Rehanne Skinner Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Brian Sørensen Formation: 4 - 4 - 1 - 1 Women's Super League All competitions All competitions All competitions Match ends, West Ham United Women 2, Everton Women 0. Second Half ends, West Ham United Women 2, Everton Women 0. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Dagny Brynjarsdóttir (West Ham United Women). Attempt saved. Manuela Paví (West Ham United Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Katrina Gorry. Attempt blocked. Heather Payne (Everton Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Emma Watson. Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. Sara Holmgaard (Everton Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Emma Harries (West Ham United Women). Attempt blocked. Louna Ribadeira (Everton Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Toni Payne. Substitution, West Ham United Women. Emma Harries replaces Seraina Piubel. Foul by Justine Vanhaevermaet (Everton Women). Katrina Gorry (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Amber Tysiak (West Ham United Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Louna Ribadeira (Everton Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Amber Tysiak (West Ham United Women). Attempt saved. Riko Ueki (West Ham United Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Katrina Gorry. Attempt missed. Toni Payne (Everton Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Justine Vanhaevermaet. Attempt blocked. Emma Watson (Everton Women) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Corner, Everton Women. Conceded by Verena Hanshaw. © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.