Chelsea Women Begin FA Cup Campaign with Win Against West Ham United

In their first match of 2024, Chelsea Women secured a victory against West Ham United as they embarked on their FA Cup campaign. Manager Emma Hayes introduced a new lineup in the absence of key forward Sam Kerr at Kingsmeadow in Kingston upon Thames. The match, officiated by referee Emily Heaslip, showcased Chelsea’s resilience and determination to defend their title.

The Chelsea starting lineup featured Musovic in goal, alongside Buchanan, Carter, and Lawrence as the main defensive trio. Périsset, Cuthbert, Ingle (captain), and Reiten formed the midfield, while James, Kirby, and Kaneryd led the attack. This lineup was a deviation from the usual 3-4-3 formation employed by the team. On the other side of the pitch, West Ham’s starting eleven, captained by Arnold, included Smith, Shimizu, Tysiak, Snerle, Ueki, Zadorsky, Hayashi, Asseyi, Cooke, and Gorry.

The absence of Sam Kerr, who suffered a knee injury during winter training camp, necessitated changes in Chelsea’s gameplay. Rytting Kaneryd, supported by James, Reiten, and Kirby, stepped up to fill the void left by Kerr. Ingle took on the role of captain in midfield alongside Cuthbert. The back four consisted of Périsset, Buchanan, Carter, and Lawrence, with Musovic guarding the goal. New signing Nathalie Bjorn was included among the substitutes, providing an opportunity for her potential debut.

The match began with Chelsea Women displaying their prowess and determination. The team’s attacking trio of James, Reiten, and Kirby combined effectively, posing constant threats to the West Ham defense. Their efforts paid off when Kirby scored the opening goal, providing an early advantage for Chelsea.

Throughout the match, Chelsea Women showcased their defensive capabilities, preventing West Ham from making significant advances. Musovic made crucial saves, ensuring the opposition remained scoreless. The strong defensive line of Perisset, Buchanan, Carter, and Lawrence maintained their positions and intercepted West Ham’s attacking plays.

In the second half, Chelsea Women continued to dominate the game, controlling possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities. West Ham struggled to break through Chelsea’s defense and found it challenging to retaliate. Despite their efforts, West Ham could not find the back of the net, resulting in a clean sheet for Chelsea and another win in their FA Cup campaign.