West Ham United Women opened their 2026/27 Women’s Super League campaign with a 3-1 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur as Rita Guarino’s heavily rebuilt side endured a difficult afternoon at the BetWright Stadium. Signe Gaupset opened the scoring before Kirsty Hanson struck twice, with Viviane Asseyi’s stoppage-time goal arriving too late to spark a comeback.
Guarino handed competitive debuts to Constance Picaud-Inconnu, Laia Codina, Nadine Riesen and Ebony Salmon, while new captain Katie Zelem started in midfield.
The selection represented the first competitive outing for a squad transformed by ten permanent summer additions, following Guarino’s pre-match message about beginning a new chapter at West Ham.
Tottenham, though, provided an immediate reminder of the level required.
West Ham punished twice before half-time
The opening stages were relatively even, with West Ham looking to attack quickly when opportunities appeared.
Spurs found the breakthrough after 18 minutes.
Julie Blakstad’s delivery found Gaupset inside the area and the Norway international converted to put Martin Ho’s side ahead.
Things became more difficult 12 minutes later.
Gaupset turned creator this time, releasing summer signing Hanson before the former Aston Villa forward found a way beyond Picaud-Inconnu to double Tottenham’s advantage in the 30th minute.
West Ham therefore headed into half-time 2-0 down despite Guarino naming an experienced side which included Zelem, Codina, Asseyi and Riko Ueki.
The Hammers had entered the campaign hoping their extensive recruitment could produce immediate improvement after last season’s tenth-place finish. We examined how West Ham Women’s summer signings transformed Guarino’s squadbefore Saki Kumagai subsequently became addition number ten.
Guarino reacted at the interval by introducing Kelly Gago for Salmon.
Hanson double leaves West Ham with mountain to climb
West Ham attempted to respond after the restart, with Leila Wandeler later replacing Seraina Piubel.
Tottenham remained the more dangerous attacking side.
Hanson effectively settled the contest in the 74th minute, curling home her second goal of the afternoon after being found by Matilda Vinberg.
The statistics underline the challenge West Ham faced.
Tottenham produced 20 attempts to West Ham’s ten, with eight shots on target compared with three for the visitors. Spurs also generated 1.89 expected goals to West Ham’s 0.73 while enjoying 59 per cent possession.
Guarino then handed Deadline Day arrival Kumagai her West Ham debut, just two days after the Hammers completed the signing of the World Cup winner.
That substitution at least produced one positive moment.
Asseyi gives West Ham late consolation
Former Hammer Shekiera Martinez thought she had added another against her old club after coming from the Tottenham bench, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
West Ham finally found a breakthrough in stoppage time.
Kumagai provided the assist for Asseyi in the 93rd minute, allowing the France international to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
There was no time for anything more.
The defeat means West Ham begin Guarino’s first full WSL season in charge without a point despite a summer of significant investment.
It should not undo the optimism generated by the rebuild after a single game, but it demonstrates how quickly Guarino needs ten new arrivals to become a settled team.
The Hammers now turn their attention towards London City Lionesses at Victoria Road on Saturday 12 September, where an immediate response will be required.
West Ham XI
Picaud-Inconnu; Endo, Codina, Cascarino, Riesen; Zelem (c), Siren, Piubel; Salmon, Ueki, Asseyi.
Subs used: Gago, Wandeler, Kumagai, Belloumou, Tennebø.
Tottenham’s official team news confirmed West Ham’s starting XI before kick-off.
