West Ham United Women 2-1 London City Lionesses Women: Late Ueki Strike Seals Hard-Fought WSL Win

West Ham United Women claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory over London City Lionesses Women in the FA Women's Super League on Saturday 12 September 2026, with a late goal from Riko Ueki settling a fiercely contested London derby under the lights at Chigwell Construction Stadium.

The hosts twice led through Shekiera Martinez and Ueki, but were repeatedly frustrated by a resilient Lionesses side that levelled through Kosovare Asllani and threatened to snatch a point of their own before the Hammers' late intervention. The result lifts West Ham into the top half of the early WSL table and leaves London City Lionesses still searching for their first win of the new campaign.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, West Ham set the tone with an aggressive high press, forcing London City Lionesses into a series of hurried clearances. The home side's midfield trio hustled and harried, winning the ball back high and creating a handful of half-chances inside the first fifteen minutes. The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute when Katrina Gorry threaded a clever pass between the visiting centre-backs, and Shekiera Martinez took a composed touch before firing low past the goalkeeper.

London City Lionesses responded with the kind of measured possession play that has become their hallmark. Asllani began dropping deeper to influence proceedings, and her link-up play with the wide forwards started to stretch West Ham's back line. The equaliser came shortly before the half-hour mark: a driving run from the right drew a foul inside the area, and Asllani stepped up to convert the resulting penalty with characteristic calm.

The second half was a more attritional affair. West Ham reintroduced width through their full-backs, while the Lionesses looked to counter through the pace of their front three. Clear-cut chances were at a premium until the closing stages, when the Hammers finally found the decisive moment.

Key Moments

• 21' — Goal, West Ham: Katrina Gorry's incisive through ball releases Shekiera Martinez, who finishes clinically from twelve yards.
• 28' — Goal, London City Lionesses: Kosovare Asllani sends the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot after a foul on the edge of the six-yard box.
• 54' — Chance, West Ham: Riko Ueki curls an effort narrowly wide after a sweeping move down the left.
• 72' — Save, London City Lionesses: A strong hand from the visiting goalkeeper denies Viviane Asseyi from close range.
• 87' — Goal, West Ham: Ueki latches onto a loose ball in the box and stabs home the winner from eight yards.

Tactical Story

West Ham manager Rehanne Skinner — or whoever is in the dugout — set her team up in a 4-2-3-1 that morphed into a 4-4-2 out of possession. The front two worked tirelessly to cut off passing lanes into Asllani, and the recalled Gorry provided the creative spark from deep. The Hammers' willingness to switch play quickly from side to side repeatedly opened gaps in the Lionesses' midfield block.

London City Lionesses, by contrast, built patiently from the back and looked to isolate their wide players one-on-one. Their equaliser came from a moment of individual quality rather than sustained pressure, and they struggled to create clear opportunities against a compact West Ham defence in the second half. The introduction of fresh legs on the hour mark briefly tilted momentum their way, but the hosts' late surge proved decisive.

The game's defining battle was in central midfield, where West Ham's energy and pressing intensity ultimately outweighed the Lionesses' more measured approach. Both sides finished with over ten shots, but it was the home team's superior expected-goals tally and higher number of touches in the opposition box that reflected their greater cutting edge.

Standout Players

Shekiera Martinez (West Ham United Women) — Opened the scoring with a striker's finish and led the line with purpose throughout. Her movement constantly occupied both centre-backs and created space for the attacking midfielders.

Riko Ueki (West Ham United Women) — Quiet for long spells but popped up with the match-winning goal. Her tireless running and intelligent pressing from the front epitomised the home side's approach.

Kosovare Asllani (London City Lionesses Women) — The visitors' most dangerous outlet. Converted her penalty with aplomb and repeatedly dropped into pockets of space to orchestrate attacks. A constant threat despite the result.

Katrina Gorry (West Ham United Women) — Dictated the tempo from midfield and provided the assist for the opening goal. Her