Chelsea won their fourth successive Women’s Super League match with a comfortable victory over West Ham at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
Sjoeke Nusken was tackled in the penalty area and the ball fell to Melvine Malard who slotted into the bottom corner to put Chelsea in front after 38 minutes.
Keira Walsh made sure of the victory with 10 minutes to play when she received the ball from Wieke Kaptein on the edge of the box and hammered it into the bottom corner.
Maika Hamano, making her first start of the season, nodded home from close range to seal a hard-fought win for the Blues.
Sonia Bompastor’s side dominated the match throughout but the scoreline only reflected that in the latter stages.
Nusken shot over from close range when Walsh played a teasing ball across the box and Kadeisha Buchanan’s header was off target.
Walsh crashed a shot off the post and struck another effort wide as Chelsea missed numerous chances before she eventually doubled their lead.
The result means Chelsea go top of the table, a point ahead of London City Lionesses and Manchester City, who play Arsenal later on Sunday.