In a thrilling encounter on Sunday, March 23, 2025, West Ham United secured a solid 2-0 victory against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Women’s Super League (WSL) at Victoria Road. The match was marked by an unfortunate own goal from Spurs defender Josefine Rybrink and a cleverly taken late free-kick by West Ham's Viviane Asseyi.
The win was significant as it moved West Ham above Spurs in the league standings, now sitting eighth in the WSL table after a tumultuous run for both teams. West Ham's manager, Rehanne Skinner, expressed satisfaction with her team's performance, stating, "We needed to keep our confidence up, and I'm really pleased with how the team responded," reflecting on the importance of this match.
The contest kicked off with Tottenham appearing the more dominant side, showing attacking intent early on. Ella Morris nearly broke the deadlock just 12 minutes into the match, directing a powerful shot at West Ham’s goalkeeper Kinga Szemik, who was forced to make a smart save. For Spurs, the absence of captain and prolific striker Bethany England due to injury became glaringly obvious as the match progressed, affecting their finishing capabilities greatly.
However, against the run of play, West Ham struck first. In the 20th minute, Verena Hanshaw drilled a low shot across the face of goal, which was unfortunate for Rybrink as it hit her and deflected into the net, resulting in an own goal. This blow took the wind out of Tottenham's sails, who had started brightly but now found themselves trailing 1-0.
West Ham almost doubled their lead shortly afterward. Shekiera Martinez had a close-range effort that was stopped by Spurs’ goalkeeper Lize Kop, and moments later, Oona Siren squandered a glorious chance, directing a header straight at Kop from just a few yards out after a corner kick.
The first half ended with Tottenham's Eveliina Summanen coming agonizingly close to leveling the score, hitting the crossbar with a beautifully struck free-kick that left West Ham with a sense of relief.
After the break, Spurs attempted to break through West Ham’s solid defense, but their inability to convert possession into clear chances added to their mounting frustration. Martha Thomas hit the post with a powerful strike midway through the second half, highlighting Spurs’ misfortunes in front of goal.
As time ticked on, the pressure began to mount for Tottenham, who were unable to find their rhythm. West Ham capitalized on the situation with a well-organized defensive display that kept Spurs largely at bay. While they held only 34% possession during the first half, they managed to create significant chances after the break, having larger stretches of control.
The closing moments of the match brought further delight for West Ham fans. In the 90th minute, Viviane Asseyi, aiming to secure the win, took a free-kick which curiously evaded everyone in the area, including Kop, finding its way into the corner of the net. This audacious effort sealed a 2-0 victory for the Hammers and capped off a strong display against their local rivals.
Following the match, assistant captain Molly Bartrip expressed concern over Spurs’ losing streak, stating, "We can’t seem to catch a break at the moment," as the team now faces the reality of six consecutive losses in all competitions. The defeat is particularly disheartening for Spurs, as it leaves them languishing in ninth place on the league table, having only scored one goal during this dismal run.
This result underscores West Ham’s resurgence under manager Skinner, who has transformed the team’s fortunes in recent months. With standout performances from players like Katrina Gorry and Siren, who showcased excellent synergy in the midfield, West Ham looks to build on this victory as they approach their upcoming fixtures.
As the dust settles from this London derby, West Ham finds renewed confidence, while Tottenham must regroup and address their ongoing issues in the lead-up to their next match. The stakes are high as each team aims to secure crucial points in the competitive landscape of the WSL, and both will be eager to assert their standings in the weeks to come.
