West Ham United Women responded to their opening-day defeat in style by beating London City Lionesses 2-1 at Chigwell Construction Stadium.
Kelly Gago opened the scoring after 21 minutes before Viviane Asseyi doubled West Ham’s advantage three minutes after half-time.
Danielle van de Donk pulled one back for London City in the 74th minute, but Rita Guarino’s side survived the late pressure to secure their first Women’s Super League victory of the season. The result was also confirmed during The Guardian’s Saturday football coverage, while AS reported Gago and Asseyi as West Ham’s scorers.
Guarino made four changes to the team beaten by Tottenham, including handing Saki Kumagai her first start against her former club.
Read West Ham covered the confirmed West Ham Women starting XI before kick-off.
Here are our West Ham Women player ratings.
Constance Picaud-Inconnu – 7
A much more enjoyable afternoon than the opening weekend.
Could do little about Van de Donk’s late goal and helped West Ham negotiate the tense closing stages.
Nadine Riesen – 7
Another steady performance from the Switzerland international.
London City possessed significant attacking quality, so West Ham’s ability to restrict them for long spells deserves credit.
Eva Nyström – 7.5
Came into the starting side and justified Guarino’s decision.
West Ham looked considerably more secure defensively than they had against Tottenham.
A strong response after beginning last weekend among the substitutes.
Estelle Cascarino – 7.5
Another assured performance at the heart of West Ham’s defence.
London City introduced even greater attacking quality during the second half, but Cascarino helped the Hammers withstand the pressure.
Inès Belloumou – 7
One of four changes made by Guarino.
Offered West Ham additional energy and played her part in a much-improved collective defensive performance.
Katie Zelem – 7.5
The captain brought valuable control to midfield against a London City side packed with established internationals.
West Ham needed composure once the visitors reduced the deficit and Zelem’s experience became increasingly important.
Saki Kumagai – 8
An excellent first West Ham start.
Guarino introduced Kumagai from the bench during the 3-1 defeat against Tottenham and she immediately earned our highest rating after providing an assist.
This time she was trusted from the beginning against the club she left earlier this month.
Her experience and positional intelligence gave West Ham greater balance through the middle.
We highlighted Kumagai’s instant impact on her West Ham debut, and the early signs continue to look extremely promising.
Seraina Piubel – 7
Worked hard between midfield and attack and helped West Ham maintain their intensity before being replaced by Leila Wandeler.
Not the headline performer, but an important part of a much stronger team display.
Riko Ueki – 7
Her movement continued to give West Ham an outlet.
Ueki did not get the goal herself but contributed to an attacking performance which caused London City far more problems than Manchester United managed on the opening weekend.
Replaced by Ebony Salmon during the second half.
Viviane Asseyi – 8
Two WSL matches. Two goals.
Asseyi followed her late consolation against Tottenham by scoring what proved to be the winner against London City three minutes after the restart.
That consistency matters enormously while Guarino integrates so many new players.
She remains one of the established attacking figures this new-look West Ham side can build around.
Kelly Gago – 8.5 ⭐
Read West Ham Player of the Match.
Gago was handed her first league start of the season after coming from the bench against Tottenham and grabbed the opportunity.
Her 21st-minute opener gave West Ham something to defend and immediately justified Guarino’s selection call.
She remained a threat before eventually making way for Oona Siren late on.
After such a significant summer rebuild, performances like this are exactly why competition for places should be much stronger this season.
Substitutes
Leila Wandeler – 6.5
Introduced for Piubel with West Ham trying to maintain their attacking outlet while protecting the lead.
Provided useful fresh legs during the final quarter.
Ebony Salmon – 6.5
Replaced Ueki as Guarino refreshed the attack.
Had to do plenty of work without the ball as London City pushed for an equaliser.
Oona Siren – N/A
Introduced for Gago in the closing minutes.
Not enough time to give a fair rating.
West Ham secure important first WSL victory
The difference from last weekend was significant.
West Ham allowed Tottenham to take control too easily in the 3-1 opening-day defeat.
Against London City, Guarino’s team combined greater defensive organisation with far more threat at the opposite end.
That is particularly encouraging given London City entered the fixture after beating Manchester United 2-1 in their opener.
West Ham now have their first three points of 2026/27.
More importantly, several of Guarino’s summer additions are already beginning to demonstrate why the squad underwent such a dramatic rebuild.
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