Kelly Gago and Viviane Asseyi believe West Ham United Women’s first WSL win of the season showed exactly what Rita Guarino’s new-look side can become.
Both forwards were on target as the Hammers beat London City Lionesses 2-1 at Chigwell Construction Stadium on Saturday.
Gago opened the scoring after 21 minutes before Asseyi doubled the advantage three minutes after the restart. Daniëlle van de Donk pulled one back late on, but West Ham held firm to secure all three points.
It was a significant response after the opening-day defeat at Tottenham.
Gago and Asseyi celebrate West Ham breakthrough
West Ham have now released a joint interview with their two goalscorers.
Gago and Asseyi said they were “so happy to score goals for the team and for the fans” after helping Guarino secure her first league victory of the campaign.
Watch Gago and Asseyi’s official West Ham interview.
Gago’s contribution was particularly encouraging.
The France international was brought into the starting XI after beginning the Tottenham defeat on the bench and immediately justified Guarino’s decision.
She broke the deadlock before Asseyi continued her own excellent scoring start to the season.
Read West Ham awarded Gago Player of the Match in our West Ham Women player ratings against London City after she helped set the tone for a much-improved performance.
Asseyi becoming key figure for West Ham
Asseyi’s goal was her second in two WSL matches.
She also scored during the 3-1 defeat at Tottenham and has quickly established herself as one of the reliable attacking figures in a squad that underwent major changes during the summer.
Her latest finish came at the end of a rapid West Ham counter-attack, giving the Hammers breathing room shortly after half-time.
The result itself is covered in our West Ham Women match report from the London City win.
Guarino has already spoken about the fighting spirit she wants to define this team.
Now two of her attackers are beginning to provide the goals to go with it.
For West Ham, that may be one of the most encouraging developments of the opening two weeks.
