No Chelsea player had ever scored in the Blues' first four games of a Women's Super League campaign – until Aggie Beever-Jones did exactly that on Sunday to set the defending champions on their way to a dominant 4-0 win that was certainly eventful. With records broken, plenty of goals scored and a stunning red card for Ines Belloumou, for pulling the hair of United States star Alyssa Thompson, those in attendance certainly got their money's worth when it came to action – though it was the kind which only the away end could really enjoy.
It all started with just eight minutes on the clock, as Beever-Jones fired a quite brilliant free-kick into the top corner. Despite Chelsea being crowned WSL champions in each of the past six seasons, no one has ever started a campaign for the Blues in a manner as impressively consistent as the England star, as was confirmed with her record-breaking fourth in four in east London.
That set the tone for Chelsea, who were 2-0 up four minutes later when Johanna Rytting Kaneryd capitalised on some statuesque defending to tap in her first of the new season, and 3-0 up three minutes after that thanks to a powerful strike from Erin Cuthbert. Any hopes West Ham harboured of getting back into the game were then dashed by Belloumou's needless sending off, which came as the clock was just ticking past the halfway point of the first period.
Chelsea's relentlessness did desert them after that, giving the Hammers some welcome respite. However, that was only until the hour, when Sonia Bompastor turned to her bench for more ammunition. All of Catarina Macario, Sandy Baltimore, Guro Reiten, Sam Kerr and Maika Hamano would be introduced, and all of them helped pepper the home goal with crosses and shots. Were it not for the woodwork and some top saves from Kinga Szemik, the scoreline could've been much worse, though Wieke Kaptein was able to squeeze in just one more, thanks to a terrific cross from the lively Macario.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Victoria Road…
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Hannah Hampton (7/10):
Had very little to do all game and yet, still came up with a fantastic save one-on-one in the latter stages.
Nathalie Bjorn (6/10):
Good on the ball, though struggled to win many duels.
Millie Bright (8/10):
Was in the right place at the right time on several occasions, able to step in and snuff out most West Ham attacks. Offered plenty with the ball at her feet, too, be it with line-breaking drives or sweeping long passes.
Veerle Buurman (7/10):
Another really promising performance from the talented teenager in which she came out on top so often in her individual battles.
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Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (7/10):
Showed good goal-scoring instincts to be in the right place to tap in Chelsea's second. Was quiet after that, until finding something of a second wind just past the hour and turning into an electric threat again.
Keira Walsh (7/10):
Almost perfect in possession, misplacing just one pass all afternoon. Recycled the ball well and provided astute defensive cover.
Oriane Jean-Francois (6/10):
Had some good moments in possession in a packed midfield but was a little sloppy at times, too.
Erin Cuthbert (8/10):
Ran the show in midfield with her accuracy in possession and great running, both on and off the ball. Was always willing to take advantage of the space afforded to her and get a shot off, an approach which gave her a great goal.
Alyssa Thompson (7/10):
A promising full debut, despite her playing in the unnatural role of a left wing-back. Showed lots of positivity going forward and did her defensive duties well.
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Wieke Kaptein (7/10):
Was a positive and energetic presence throughout and got a goal her effort deserved.
Aggie Beever-Jones (7/10):
Led the line well, with plenty of energy, and scored a terrific goal to break the deadlock.
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Sandy Baltimore (6/10):
Gave Thompson some respite by slotting into the left wing-back role she's much more familiar with. Got up and down the flank well and fizzed in a couple of dangerous balls that only needed a touch to be turned into a goal.
Guro Reiten (6/10):
Another impactful sub who was so close to getting a goal not long after being introduced.
Catarina Macario (7/10):
Incredibly positive and direct from the second she entered the game, getting a well-deserved assist only a few minutes later. Could've had two goals, too, were it not for a top save and, later, the woodwork.
Sam Kerr (N/A):
Continued her return from a long injury lay-off with some more minutes in the tank in the closing stages.
Maika Hamano (N/A):
Another sub who helped keep the energy up and the pressure on.
Sonia Bompastor (7/10):
Set-up her team in an orthodox formation which packed the midfield and that helped Chelsea to completely overwhelm West Ham, especially in the early stages. Subs changed the game when things became stale, putting the Blues back on the front foot immediately.