Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Thu 19 March 2026 13:10, UK

West Ham United Women eased their Women’s Super League relegation fears as Rita Guarino’s tactical plan unsettled Manchester United.

United dropped from second to third in the table as they struggled to cope with West Ham’s pressure, with the Hammers particularly strong in the first half.

Despite being second bottom in the WSL, Guarino’s side went toe to toe with Marc Skinner’s team, as Viviane Asseyi repeatedly went close for the hosts in the 0-0 draw on Wednesday.

West Ham pressed United high up the pitch, caused problems with their pace on the wings, and often turned the ball over in the final third at Chigwell Construction Stadium.

West Ham went into this game just two points above the relegation zone but this display has made Guarino optimistic about the rest of the season.

West Ham’s defensive prowess shines through

West Ham held on for a deserved clean sheet, despite the visitors having 13 shots on goal to the Hammers’ five and 67 per cent possession.

United may have had a League Cup final loss hangover but they still did enough to win the game. However, defender Eva Nystrom and goalkeeper Kinga Szemik had other ideas.

Nystrom was awarded the Player of the Match award as she was a defensive rock at the back, particularly when she made a goal-line clearance to deny Melvine Malard what looked like a certain goal.

And Szemik made a host of important saves, some of which involved her showing some great reflex stops along the way.

But head coach Guarino was quick to praise the entire team, while explaining how their tactical preparations paid off.

She said after the draw: “I asked them to stick to the plan in what we prepared in the last ten days, and they focused for the entire game. I’m very proud about that.

“We conceded easy goals in the past and what we asked of the girls was to not concede any easy goals, and stay on the plan, [focus on] defence first. That was very important. In our stadium, this kind of game was important.”

West Ham will need to be at their defensive best again when they take on Champions League holders Arsenal next at Emirates Stadium.

West Ham make impressive start to brutal run-in

West Ham fans were fearing the worst with six games to go, as a brutal fixture list lay ahead of them. They had to play three of the top four sides, but now that they have got a point out of United, they will feel more positive going forward.

The Hammers will be underdogs for their trip to Arsenal on Saturday but games against lowly Aston Villa and Liverpool provide an opportunity to get wins on the board.

West Ham will hope to have Japan star Riko Ueki back for the clash with London City Lionesses on 29 March, with the striker currently preparing for an Asian Cup final with Australia on Saturday.

The east London outfit are just three points above basement side Leicester and the Foxes have a game in hand.

The fact that the Midlands team have won just twice all season bodes well for West Ham, plus Leicester are on a five-match losing streak.

But West Ham will want to take it out of Leicester’s hands by finishing the season strong.