Chelsea thrash West Ham to maintain WSL title bid

Sandy Baltimore scored twice as Chelsea began their 2026 with a 5-0 win at home to West Ham to stay in touch with leaders Manchester City at the top of the Women’s Super League table.

Chelsea were 4-0 up at half-time at Kingsmeadow after goals from Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson, Baltimore and an own goal from Yu Endo.

Baltimore added a fifth with a second-half penalty after her shot had been handled by Viviane Asseyi.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made her first start since recovering from injury.