Crystal Palace 1-7 West Ham United
By Ella McShane (28/04/25)
Above: The West Ham team that put seven past Crystal Palace. Photo: @westhamwomen on Twitter
West Ham United dominate Crystal Palace in a season defining afternoon at Sutton United Football Club.
An uncontrolled opening 15 minutes, made for a frustrating start for Crystal Palace and West Ham United fans alike.
West Ham dominated possession, but were not able to convert the many chances created. Palace promisingly delivered corners that were not converted into the goals the home side desperately needed for a chance to stay in the topflight.
West Ham’s frustrations were swiftly put to bed, when a sharp cross from Verena Hanshaw found the head of an impressively elevated Shekeira Martinez. The header competently secured West Ham the lead, leaving the Palace backline visibly unsure of their tactical identity for the remainder of the first half.
Palace called for a goal, but unfortunately for them, West Ham Goalkeeper Kinga Szmeik answered. Palace’s Ashleigh Weerden’s creative exploitation of space on the right wing allowed her pass to be received by an open Clariisa Larisey. Making a swift run to the front right-hand side of the box, Larisey’s cross was promisingly shot towards goal by Captain Katie Stengel.
Szmeik clinically parried the ball out of immediate danger, giving Palace an open goal on the rebound. However, the swift crowd of Iron’s denied Palace the chance to secure the equaliser. Seemingly ignited, a tenacious home side took back the possession that deprived their visitors of a goal until the 41st minute.
West Ham Captain Katrina Gorry’s dominance in the centre midfield allowed a clean ball to fall at the feet of Martinez, positioned in the right side of the box. She shot a robust ball that confidently found the back of the goal.
Hungry for more, Martinez’s beaming run forward from the midfield caught Palace goalkeeper Shae Yanez off her line. Enabling Martinez to calmly secure a hat trick before the half.
Martinez’s stride from outside the box saw the forward secure yet another goal for the Hammers. Although the goal was allowed on this occasion, the eager Martinez appeared to be offside by a small margin. With no Virtual Assisted Refereeing (VAR) in the WSL, the just outcome can only be hypothesised.
Already dominating, Asseyi produced what can only be described as a wonder goal for the Hammers in the 69th minute. Receiving the ball from behind the centre circle, Asseyi’s striding run forward powerfully disjoined both Palace’s midfield and backline. Not over yet, Asseyi ensured the ball found the net with a powerful volley from an awe-inspiring distance.
A late challenge committed by West Ham’s Riko Ueki against Indiyah-Paige Riley inside the box resulted in a disciplinary yellow card and penalty kick awarded. A composed Stengel assumed the penalty position and confidently earned the Eagles their first goal of the match.
West Ham’s Emma Harries did not allow the late Crystal Palace gain to stop momentum. A challenging one v one with Katerine Veje forced Harries into a tight angle on the right side of the box. Taking the risk, Harries cross found the net, deservingly giving the visitors a lead some might not have deemed possible this time last season.
In a last effort to preserve the eagle’s chance in the topflight, Yanez commendably saved a promising shot committed by Princess Ademilyui. However, the rebound fell at the feet of Harries whose search for a brace was completed with ease at 94 minutes, determining the ultimate 7-1 score line.
The aftermath of the game was both equally sombre and exhilarating. With Crystal Palace officially relegated and returning to the Championship next season, whilst West Ham United proved what excellence they have brought to the league this season.
Teams: CRYSTAL PALACE: Yanez (GK), M. Cato, A. Weerden, H, Nolan, R.Öling, A. Potter, C. Larisey, M. Geji, L. Woodham, A. Nouwen, K. Stengel (captain) Substitutes: Maj-Majasaari, Veje, Arthur, Sharpe, Hughes, Blanchard, Green, Riley, Larkin
Scorers: Stengel (80’ pen)
WEST HAM UNITED: Szmiek, Siren, Tysiak, Ueki, Zadorsky, Denton, Asseyi, Gorry, Martinez, Hanshaw, Piubel Substitutes: Walsh, Brynjarsdottir, Harries, Smith, Bergman-Lundin, Sáez, Nystrom, Ademiluyi, Walsh
Scorers: Martinez (18’, 42’, 45’, 62’), Asseyi (70’), Harries (86’, 90+4’)
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