Goals from Tobin Heath, substitute Christen Press and a double from Alessia Russo helped Manchester United keep the pace near the top of the table and condemned West Ham to a fourth successive WSL defeat.
West Ham came into this game searching for their first win of the season after defeats in their last three league games while Manchester United would play knowing that a victory here would put them top of the table ahead of the day’s later kick offs.
The Red Devils would open the scoring just inside twenty minutes as after some hesitant West Ham defending, Katie Zelem would put a cross towards the back post.
The cross was redirected towards the centre of the goal by Leah Galton and Alessia Russo would tap the ball in from close range to break the deadlock.
They would not have to wait long to double their lead as four minutes later, Russo would find herself bearing down on the West Ham goal, but instead of shooting she laid the ball off to Tobin Heath who struck a powerful shot inside the far post for her first goal for the Manchester outfit.
The game was stopped temporarily after a nasty clash of heads between Galton and Kate Longhurst. Both women would be left with unsightly lumps and Longhurst would be bandaged up. Both players would continue in the game, however.
West Ham’s Adriana Leon would almost provide the goal of the season ten minutes from the half as she spun past Millie Turner on the wing, slipped the ball through the legs of Zelem and then fired an effort from distance which just flew over the bar.
The Hammers would find the net almost immediately after as Kenza Dali was given too much time to find a cross out on the wing, as the ball was met by the head of Emily van Egmond to make the score 1-2.
The visitors would restore their two-goal lead just before halftime under similar circumstances as Galton would cross the ball into the West Ham area and find Russo who flicked the ball past Mackenzie Arnold for her second of the match.
The second half would mostly play out as a back and forth affair. Neither team created particularly dangerous chances and both managers would repeatedly look to the bench to reignite their play on both sides of the pitch.
West Ham would set up a nervy finish for Man United fans as Rachel Daly would run down the wing and chip in a delivery to the far post, the ball would fly over Mary Earps’ head however and find the bottom corner for a good finish whether it was intended as a cross or not.
The goal would light a fire under the Red Devils and any hope of a West Ham comeback would be extinguished five minutes from time as Christen Press would also notch her first goal in Manchester United colours by getting onto the end of a freekick from fellow substitute Lucy Staniforth at the back post to secure a 4-2 victory for her side.
The victory keeps Manchester United in the top three and still undefeated through five games this season while West Ham are now pointless in their last four matches after an opening day draw with Tottenham.
Manchester United will face a tough test to continue their near-flawless start as they host Arsenal on the 8th of November while West Ham will travel to Birmingham.
The Inbound Observer 