Chelsea beat West Ham 5-0 in the Women’s Super League. Sandy Baltimore scored twice as Chelsea stayed in the title race.
Chelsea met West Ham in a Women’s Super League game on 11 January 2026. Many fans watched closely, as Chelsea wanted a strong start to the new year and a quick response in the league.
The game quickly turned one-sided, with Chelsea setting the tempo from the opening minutes. West Ham, still adjusting to a new head coach, struggled to match the speed and sharp passing of the home side.
Chelsea showed clear organisation and calm passing from the back to the attack. The players linked up well, moved the ball quickly, and created many chances in and around the penalty area.
Sandy Baltimore was a key attacker, scoring two goals and constantly stretching the West Ham defence. Lauren James and Alyssa Thompson also added goals, giving Chelsea a big lead and full control before the final whistle.
Chelsea’s game plan focused on high pressure and quick transitions. They kept the ball for long periods, won back possession fast, and forced West Ham into mistakes near their own goal.
West Ham worked hard but found it difficult to break through Chelsea’s strong back line. Most of their attacks ended before they could test the goalkeeper, and they rarely created clear shots on goal.
Head coach Rita Guarino, who took charge in December, faced another difficult afternoon. Her team conceded four goals in the first half, showing how much work still needs to be done to improve their shape and confidence.
Even after changes to the lineup and tactics, West Ham could not find a goal. The team remains close to the bottom of the table and must fight to stay in the league.
The 5-0 victory keeps Chelsea close to Manchester City in the battle for the title. Every goal and every point is important as the season moves into its second half.
Chelsea now look to build on this result, aiming to keep pressure on the league leaders with more wins and strong displays. The team will try to use this game as a base for a long unbeaten run.
West Ham, meanwhile, must respond quickly. They need better results in the next matches to climb away from the relegation zone and give Rita Guarino time to build a more stable side.
