Chelsea boss Emma Hayes wants more goals from Erin Cuthbert after the midfielder scored in the win against West Ham that sent them back to second in the Women’s Super League table.
Cuthbert set Bethany England up for the opener, with the striker pouncing after Anna Leat spilled the initial effort.
Cuthbert then added a late second with a fine finish from the edge of the box.
“The number of goals Erin gets is not enough for the chances she gets. That’s her next challenge,” said Hayes.
“She is a brilliant character, a warrior who has everything in her game.”
After Scot Cuthbert’s match-winning display, Hayes added: “She is a brilliant character, a warrior who has everything in her game.”
West Ham failed to get a shot on target in response as their five-game unbeaten league run came to an end.
Chelsea’s second victory against the Hammers in seven days – having got past their London rivals in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Continental League Cup last week – sees them move to within a point of leaders Arsenal.
The Gunners, however, can restore their four-point lead at the summit if they beat Brighton on Thursday.
Chelsea had slipped to third place following Sunday’s goalless draw against Brighton and were again frustrated in the first half against the Hammers.
Sophie Ingle saw a misdirected cross come off the top of the bar for the hosts while West Ham goalkeeper Leat made a fine reflex save to deny Pernille Harder before the break.
England made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, reacting quickest in the 51st minute to score her 50th WSL goal when Leat failed to control her save from a fierce 20-yard Cuthbert shot.
The excellent Cuthbert then got a deserved second for the league champions eight minutes from time, linking up with Fran Kirby on the edge of the area before sending a dipping effort beyond the keeper.
Hayes said her side “deserved to win the game” and was pleased in the manner they eventually achieved it.
“I am just happy we scored scrappy goals,” she added.
“I have the team who want to score the most delightful goals, we want to walk the ball into the net. We don’t score enough goals for what we create.
“The reality is we needed that goal from Beth, her response to coming on was great.”
Line-ups
Chelsea Women
Formation 3-4-3
- 30Berger
- 21Charles
- 4Bright
- 3Nouwen
- 22Cuthbert
- 25Andersson
- 5Ingle
- 11ReitenSubstituted forEnglandat 45′minutes
- 17FlemingSubstituted forCarterat 73′minutes
- 23HarderSubstituted forSpenceat 83′minutes
- 14KirbySubstituted forAbdullinaat 86′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Musovic
- 7Carter
- 9England
- 19James
- 24Spence
- 27Abdullina
West Ham Women
Formation 3-5-2
- 18Leat
- 15ParkerBooked at 17mins
- 22Fisk
- 23CissokoBooked at 20mins
- 2Wyne
- 17FilisSubstituted forStringerat 70′minutes
- 8Snerle
- 10Svitková
- 12Longhurst
- 9Walker
- 7Evans
Substitutes
- 4Stringer
- 5Flaherty
- 20Joel
- 24Cairns
- 26Moore
- 33Houssein
- Referee:
- Ryan Atkin
- Attendance:
- 2,554
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Chelsea Women 2, West Ham United Women 0.
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Second Half ends, Chelsea Women 2, West Ham United Women 0.
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Foul by Alsu Abdullina (Chelsea Women).
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Zaneta Wyne (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Chelsea Women. Alsu Abdullina replaces Fran Kirby.
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Attempt missed. Drew Spence (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Fran Kirby.
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Foul by Bethany England (Chelsea Women).
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Hawa Cissoko (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Chelsea Women. Drew Spence replaces Pernille Harder.
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Goal! Chelsea Women 2, West Ham United Women 0. Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Fran Kirby.
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Attempt blocked. Bethany England (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Fran Kirby.
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Fran Kirby (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Lisa Evans (West Ham United Women).
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Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Katerina Svitková.
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Substitution, Chelsea Women. Jessica Carter replaces Jessie Fleming.
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Substitution, West Ham United Women. Abbey-Leigh Stringer replaces Melisa Filis.
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Attempt saved. Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Fran Kirby.
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Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Melisa Filis.
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Foul by Sophie Ingle (Chelsea Women).
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Emma Snerle (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
