1. Game-changer Asseyi
Viviane Asseyi was sent on at half-time against Southampton in the Subway® Women's League Cup and she immediately went on the offensive, dancing down the left-hand side. Although her cross to Manuela Paví was slightly behind the No11, it looked certain that would not be the last we saw of Asseyi on Wednesday evening.
And that proved to be correct, as just after the hour mark, she met Verena Hanshaw’s corner with a flicked header at the near post to break the deadlock.
Two West Ham goals later, in second-half stoppage time, the France international was at it again. She latched onto Shelina Zadorsky’s ball over the top, took it under her spell and volleyed over a despairing Fran Stenson.
Inès Belloumou encapsulated the finish perfectly at full-time, saying: “That’s my Vivi!”
2. Martinez’s magic
Shekiera Martinez is thriving in the Subway® Women's League Cup. The competition’s top-scorer took her tally to four goals in three games by netting a brace against the Saints.
The Germany U23 international was introduced to proceedings on the hour and doubled our advantage 18 minutes later with a clinical left-footed volley into the top-right corner.
Her second, and West Ham's fifth of the evening, came in the fourth minute of added time, as she finished off a sweeping move. Anouk Denton sent Ffion Morgan on her way down the right, who crossed for Martinez at the front post. With expert movement, our No19 snuck in between two Saints defenders to fire into the roof of the net.
That’s a goal every 38 minutes in the competition for Martinez this season!
3. Impact off the bench
As well as providing the assist for Martinez’s second, Morgan also got on the scoresheet on Wednesday night, slotting home on her weaker left foot with a cultured finish from inside the box on what was a successful evening for Rehanne Skinner’s substitutes.
Every single one of them did their job and provided the Hammers with extra firepower to build on the solid foundations of the first half.
Sent on alongside Asseyi at half-time was Denton, who was equally as dangerous down her flank, and she teed up Martinez for her first of the evening. Meanwhile, it was Zadorsky’s searching ball that played Asseyi through on goal.
The substitutes could not have had more of an impact!
4. Importance of a clean sheet
While a lot of the celebration has been for the goals we scored against Southampton, the importance of a clean sheet for the defence cannot be overlooked.
Part of the backline was 18-year-old Selin Cemal, who starred with her want to drive forward and be positive with the ball. Her performance caught the eye of her manager.
“[As well as with the ball], out of possession, she was absolutely superb,” said Skinner. “She knew what her job was really clearly, and I thought she executed it brilliantly.
“She's trained solidly with the first team since we brought her in. Bit by bit, when she gets those opportunities, she's going to be a huge player for the future. I was really proud of her performance tonight, and she's progressed massively in such a short space of time as well.”
Goalkeeper Megan Walsh also played a big part in helping us keep the clean sheet, pulling off a string of important saves in both halves to keep the Saints at bay, as she captained us to victory on her birthday.
5. All smiles ahead of Everton
Scoring five and conceding none was the perfect recipe for the women’s team to head into our Barclays Women’s Super League fixture at home to Everton on Sunday full of confidence.
Of course, everyone was overjoyed with the result. Click the image above to view a gallery of the celebrations.
You can get your tickets for the clash against the Toffees by clicking HERE!
