Sam Kerr and Beth England were on target as Chelsea regained top spot in the Women’s Super League with a routine win over London rivals West Ham United.
Kerr set the Blues on their way with her 12th league goal of the season by powerfully heading in England’s cross.
The roles were reversed as England headed in Kerr’s cross after the break.
Kate Longhurst and Emily van Egmond went close for the Hammers, but Chelsea saw out a victory which takes them two points clear of Manchester City.
The lead could have been extended to four points had Keira Walsh not grabbed a late winner as a below-par City beat a resolute Everton side at Academy Stadium.
Chelsea’s victory, which sees them become the first team in WSL history to win five successive away games without conceding a goal, was a far less traumatic one than their title rivals.
A ruthless attacking display had seen Chelsea thrash the Hammers 6-0 in the Continental Cup in February – although the reigning champions were never quite as comfortable as that in earning a third league success in a row.
But they always looked capable of stepping up a level against a side who impressed after going 2-0 down, yet have still only managed one point at home this season.
West Ham have now not won in four and have just eight points in total, only two points and one place above bottom-side Bristol City.
Chelsea could have added to their lead late on when Fran Kirby saw a header come back off the bar and fellow substitute Guro Reiten was brilliantly denied by keeper Courtney Brosnan on the follow-up.
But, although a 50th league goal in 16 matches eluded them, the Blues retained their two-point advantage over City, with both sides now having just six league games left.
Line-ups
West Ham Women
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 18Brosnan
- 22Fisk
- 5Flaherty
- 26VetterleinSubstituted forCissokoat 90+2′minutes
- 2Redisch Kvamme
- 32Brynjarsdóttir
- 12Longhurst
- 10SvitkováSubstituted forPachecoat 78′minutes
- 21Dali
- 25van Egmond
- 9Thomas
Substitutes
- 3Pacheco
- 11Mustafa
- 16Ramsey
- 23Cissoko
- 27Barker
Chelsea Women
Formation 4-1-3-2
- 1Musovic
- 21CharlesSubstituted forCarterat 82′minutes
- 18Mjelde
- 4Bright
- 25Andersson
- 5Ingle
- 10JiSubstituted forSpenceat 82′minutes
- 23HarderSubstituted forFlemingat 68′minutes
- 11Reiten
- 20KerrSubstituted forKirbyat 68′minutes
- 9England
Substitutes
- 3Blundell
- 7Carter
- 8Leupolz
- 14Kirby
- 17Fleming
- 24Spence
- 29Fox
- 30Berger
- 32Orman
Live Text
Match ends, West Ham United Women 0, Chelsea Women 2.
Second Half ends, West Ham United Women 0, Chelsea Women 2.
Substitution, West Ham United Women. Hawa Cissoko replaces Laura Vetterlein because of an injury.
Offside, West Ham United Women. Kenza Dali tries a through ball, but Mayumi Pacheco is caught offside.
Beth England (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Laura Vetterlein (West Ham United Women).
Attempt missed. Kenza Dali (West Ham United Women) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
Foul by Sophie Ingle (Chelsea Women).
Emily van Egmond (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Corner, West Ham United Women. Conceded by Jessica Carter.
Attempt blocked. Martha Thomas (West Ham United Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Jessica Carter replaces Niamh Charles.
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Drew Spence replaces Ji So-Yun.
Foul by Jessie Fleming (Chelsea Women).
Laura Vetterlein (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Corner, West Ham United Women. Conceded by Niamh Charles.
Substitution, West Ham United Women. Mayumi Pacheco replaces Katerina Svitková.
Foul by Sophie Ingle (Chelsea Women).
Martha Thomas (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Courtney Brosnan.
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