---
title: "Rita Guarino makes blunt West Ham admission after Everton defeat"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2026/09/21/rita-guarino-blunt-west-ham-admission-everton-defeat/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2026-09-21T19:58:00Z"
modified: "2026-09-21T19:58:00Z"
---

# Rita Guarino makes blunt West Ham admission after Everton defeat

West Ham United Women manager Rita Guarino has delivered a blunt assessment of her side’s performance following Sunday’s agonising 1-0 defeat to Everton.

The Hammers appeared set to secure a point at Victoria Road before Yūka Momiki’s stoppage-time free-kick was diverted into her own net by Laia Codina.

It was a cruel way to lose.

Guarino, however, refused to blame West Ham’s defeat simply on bad fortune.

Speaking through [West Ham’s official channels](https://www.whufc.com/en/news/match-report-or-stoppage-time-goal-sees-hammers-lose-to-toffees), the Italian made clear that she was unhappy with what she had seen across the 90 minutes.

## Rita Guarino unhappy with West Ham performance

Guarino admitted she was disappointed with both the result and the overall display.

Her assessment was particularly direct.

> “I didn’t like the way we played.”

West Ham defended resolutely for long periods, but struggled to turn promising situations into sustained attacking pressure.

Riko Ueki and Kelly Gago both found opportunities during the first half without finding the breakthrough, while Constance Picaud-Inconnu produced an important stoppage-time save before Everton eventually struck.

Guarino felt the result reflected the balance of the contest despite the painful timing of the decisive goal.

That is significant after West Ham had produced a much more encouraging performance in their [2-1 victory over London City Lionesses](https://readwestham.com/2026/09/12/west-ham-women-london-city-result-gago-asseyi/) one week earlier.

## Codina own goal should not define Everton defeat

Codina’s own goal arrived in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time after Momiki’s inswinging delivery found its way into the net.

It was an unfortunate ending for the Spain international, who had otherwise helped West Ham remain defensively competitive.

Our analysis of [why Guarino should keep faith with Laia Codina](https://readwestham.com/2026/09/21/why-rita-guarino-must-stick-with-laia-codina-west-ham-women/) explains why the late own goal should not overshadow her wider performance.

The result leaves West Ham with three points from their opening three WSL matches after defeats to Tottenham and Everton either side of the London City victory.

Our [West Ham Women player ratings against Everton](https://readwestham.com/2026/09/20/west-ham-women-0-1-everton-player-ratings-wsl-report/) also highlighted Picaud-Inconnu as one of the strongest performers on a frustrating afternoon.

## Tottenham gives West Ham immediate response opportunity

West Ham do not have long to dwell on the defeat.

Guarino’s side travel to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Subway Players Cup on Wednesday, 23 September, with kick-off at 7pm BST.

The [official West Ham fixture page](https://www.whufc.com/en/womens-team-matches/tottenham-hotspur-a-1) confirms the London derby will take place at BetWright Stadium.

Guarino suggested the short turnaround could also provide opportunities for members of her squad who did not feature against Everton.

She said:

> “It’s good that we play again immediately.”

That creates an interesting selection decision ahead of Wednesday night.

West Ham need a reaction after Guarino’s unusually forthright assessment, but the cup fixture also offers a chance to use the depth created by the club’s extensive summer rebuild.

For those on the fringes of the starting XI, Tottenham now represents an immediate opportunity to respond.