An injury time equaliser from West Ham’s Manuela Paví further dented Manchester City’s title hopes in a 1-1 draw at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
The Action
West Ham earned their first point against Manchester City at the Chigwell Construction Stadium on Wednesday night with the kind of resilient performance that has become common for Rehanne Skinner’s side in recent weeks. It was a result that put a dent in City’s title chase and hopes for a Champions League place next season.
Gareth Taylor made six changes from the side that had beaten Tottenham on Sunday. With Bunny Shaw and Vivianne Miedema both still managing their fitness and Aoba Fujino missing through injury, there were starts for young Lily Murphy and Kerolin in attack while Jess Park came into midfield.
Rehanne Skinner rang the changes herself from the side that had suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to Arsenal. Viviane Asseyi was serving a one game suspension for amassing too many yellow cards giving Seraina Piubel a start while Anouk Denton, Shelina Zadorsky and Katrina Gorry also made a return.
It was the hosts who started the brighter with the pressing of the front three causing issues for Manchester City’s defence. Shekiera Martinez has proved herself to be a real livewire since returning from her loan in Germany and she had the first real opportunity of the game, stinging the gloves of Ayaka Yamashita. The City goalkeeper was the busier on the night and produced a stunning save late in the half to deny Piubel just before the break.
For Manchester City, Kerolin looked the most likely to cause problems, beating Verena Hanshaw on the break on multiple occasions. She dragged a shot wide before setting up Laura Wienroither who had an effort on goal blocked.
West Ham continued to trouble City, especially with the introduction of Manuela Paví at half-time. It was not until the introduction of Shaw that the visitors were able to get any control on the match.
The impact was almost immediate with the Jamaican testing Kinga Szemik instantly. In the 77th minute, Miedema entered the field and just three minutes later the visitors were ahead. The Dutch international flicked on Mary Fowler’s delivery for Shaw to score her 12th league goal of the season.
Just as hope was starting to fade for the Hammers, however, they found a way back into the game. Paví had been at the heart of everything for the hosts in the second half and got her rewards, firing home in the 91st minute to salvage an all-important point.
Stand Out Moment
With mere minutes left on the clock, West Ham found the energy for one last attempt for an equaliser. It was beautiful flowing move as they broke at pace. Ueki flicked the ball into the path of Paví who finished with aplomb. It marked a second goal of the season for the tricky Colombian.
STUNNING MANUELA PAVÍ 🙌
Superb cut inside and strike! 🔥#BarclaysWSL @westhamwomen pic.twitter.com/3OV314qJUt
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 5, 2025
Stand Out Performance
Riko Ueki remains one of the most underrated players in the Barclays WSL but what she adds to this West Ham team is undeniable. She might not always get amongst the goals but she is a constant thorn in the side of opposition defences. She produced a trademark hard-working performance once again on this occasion, holding play up brilliantly for the Hammers, and produced a brilliant assist for the equaliser.
Quote of the Day
“I just think the character in the team is just so important, the belief and the confidence that we have to go and get points out of games… We’ve obviously brought players in to do a certain style of play, and now they’re able to execute that. It’s causing people a lot of problems. I’m delighted to get our first point against City at home in front of the fans.”
Rehanne Skinner, West Ham
Teams
WEST HAM
Kinga Szemik; Eva Nyström, Amber Tysiak, Shelina Zadorsky; Anouk Denton, Oona Siren, Katrina Gorry (c), Verena Hanshaw; Seraina Piubel, Riko Ueki; Shekiera Martinez
Subs: Megan Walsh; Princess Ademiluyi; Marika Bergman-Lundin; Dagný Brynjarsdóttir; Emma Harries; Li Mengwen; Manuela Paví; Kirsty Smith; Camila Sáez
Manager: Rehanne Skinner
MANCHESTER CITY
Ayaka Yamashita; Laura Wienroither, Gracie Prior, Laia Aleixandri (c), Kerstin Casparij; Yui Hasegawa; Jess Park, Jill Roord; Kerolin Nicoli, Mary Fowler, Lily Murphy
Subs: Khiara Keating; Eve Annets; Laura Coombs; Mayzee Davies; Naomi Layzell; Vivianne Miedema; Leila Ouahabi; Aemu Oyama; Khadija Shaw
Manager: Gareth Taylor
