Kelly Gago's first-half strike secured a 1-0 away win for West Ham United Women against Crystal Palace on Sunday. The result, their second consecutive victory, lifts the team's momentum during a demanding run of fixtures.
Gago found the net in the 30th minute, finishing off a move created by Oona Siren. Manager Rita Guarino set her side up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which controlled 51% of possession and created 14 shots to the hosts' seven. Asseyi, the team's top scorer this season with three goals, led the line but was unable to add to her tally. West Ham's defensive unit, which has been reshuffled due to injuries, remained solid throughout.
How the match unfolded
West Ham started brightly and their pressure told just after the half-hour mark. Siren's precise pass found Gago, who made no mistake. The visitors continued to create the better chances, forcing two saves from Pauline Peyraud Magnin in the Crystal Palace goal. The hosts' best opportunity fell to Annabel Blanchard just before halftime, but her effort was comfortably gathered by West Ham goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
The home side, organised in a 4-4-2 by Jo Potter, pressed for an equaliser late on. Their efforts led to a yellow card for West Ham defender Laia Codina in the 77th minute. Seraina Piubel was replaced by Leila Wandeler after 68 minutes as Guarino looked to manage the game. West Ham's defence, marshalled by Codina and Cascarino, held firm to register a clean sheet and secure the three points. Crystal Palace's Hopcroft also saw yellow in stoppage time for a late challenge.
What comes next
This win follows a 3-1 victory over Southampton and means West Ham's recent form reads two wins, one draw, and two losses from their last five outings. They face a quick turnaround, with a WSL Cup tie against London City Lionesses at Chigwell Construction Stadium on Wednesday. That match is part of a congested schedule featuring five games in 14 days, a period Guarino had previously highlighted as critical. The manager confirmed post-match that Riko Ueki is progressing well in her recovery from an ankle injury but was not ready to feature.
Guarino had previewed the trip, saying, "West Ham United women’s team will be back in action this weekend as we travel to Crystal Palace in the Barclays Women’s Super League. It is a tough place to go, and we know we must be at our best to get a result." Her team delivered the required result, setting them up for their midweek cup challenge. The victory moves West Ham up the league table as they look to consolidate their position.
Manager Rita Guarino praised her team's resilience after the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace, secured by Kelly Gago's 30th-minute strike. She highlighted the difficult conditions, stating, "It was a tough game, so we needed to make these kind of battles." Guarino confirmed the victory was the team's first clean sheet of the season. The win, their second in a row, came on a windy afternoon at The 360 Engage Stadium. West Ham now prepare for a Subway Players Cup tie against London City Lionesses on Wednesday.
The club confirmed Inès Belloumou was named player of the match for her role in the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace. Manager Rita Guarino's side are now on a two-game winning run. Aimee Everett twice cleared a Leila Wandeler effort off the line in the 76th minute, the source stated. West Ham's next fixture is at home to London City Lionesses on Wednesday.
