Tottenham 0-2 West Ham - WSL: Player ratings as Hammers win London derby
By Ali Rampling
West Ham turned in a big second half performance to move up to fifth in the WSL with a 2-0 victory over London rivals Tottenham at Brisbane Road on Sunday.
Spurs were much the better side in the first half but were unable to capitalise on their dominance, before Paul Konchesky changed things up at the break and the Hammers turned in a much improved second half performance.
Goals from Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Hawa Cissoko saw West Ham to all three points, the former making up for missing a spot kick in the first half.
Rehanne Skinner had wrung the changes for Spurs following their disappointing defeat to Reading last time out, with first team regulars Ashleigh Neville and Angharad James dropping to the bench. The hosts burst out of the blocks and enjoyed the better of the first half; Eveliina Summanen saw a dipping effort from range fly narrowly over, while Mackenzie Arnold was called into action to acrobatically tip a Celin Bizet over the bar.
Arnold was kept busy, reacting well to prevent Mollie Bartrip scoring directly from a corner, while Chioma Ubogagu couldn't get enough power on a header to trouble the West Ham goalkeeper following good work from Bizet down the right.
Despite the hosts' dominance, it was West Ham who had the best chance to break the deadlock in the opening 45. Kerys Harrop was dispossessed by Kate Longhurst, and the former brought down the latter following a smart turn from the Hammers fullback. However, the resultant spot kick was dragged wide by Brynjarsdottir.
Having hardly threatened in the first half, Paul Konchesky introduced Lisa Evans at half time as West Ham switched to a front three, and the impact was almost instant. Evans provided the driving run and delivery for Viviane Asseyi, whose overhead kick rebounded into the path of Brynjarsdottir. The Icelandic international atoned for missed penalty and crashed home.
Tottenham responded with the introduction of Neville and Nikola Karczewska, with the former sending an effort from the edge of the area narrowly wide just after the hour mark.
With Spurs chasing the equaliser, West Ham netted a second on the counter attack with seven minutes remaining. Asseyi again was involved, winning a 50:50 with Neville on the halfway line and sending Hawa Cissoko - charging forward from centre back - scurrying through on goal. The defender coolly lifted the ball over Becky Spencer to seal all three points for the Hammers.
Tottenham player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Becky Spencer - 5/10 - Comfortably held a Walker effort in the first half, question marks over whether she could have come out quicker and further to close down Cissoko as she bore down on goal for West Ham's second.
RB: Amy Turner - 6/10 - Limited in her opportunities to get forward. Tested more defensively in the second half by the lively Asseyi.
CB: Molly Bartrip - 6/10 - Almost scored directly from a corner in the first half. Made a brave block to keep out an Asseyi overhead kick - was unfortunate to see this deflect into the path of Brynjarsdottir. Sustained an injury attempting to keep the ball out for West Ham's second and subsequently replaced.
CB: Shelina Zadorsky - 6/10 - Steady defensively, couldn't do a great deal about either goal.
LB: Kerys Harrop - 5/10 - Fortunate to not be punished after losing possession deep in her own half and then clumsily bringing down Longhurst in the box. Replaced before the hour mark.
CM: Eveliina Summanen - 7/10 - Had the first effort of the game with dipping strike from range, and caused plenty of problems with her ability to break up play high up the pitch.
CM: Cho So-hyun - 6/10 - Flashes of quality and class but unable to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and have a telling impact on proceedings.
RW: Celin Bizet - 7/10 - Caused problems with her bursts of pace, calling Arnold into action with a cross and teeing up Ubogagu after tearing away down the right. Quieter in the second half, replaced with 13 remaining.
AM: Drew Spence - 6/10 - Lively in the first half as Spurs dominated, but faded in the second.
LW: Chioma Ubogagu - 6/10 - Looked dangerous in the first half with her quick feet and dangerous deliveries and was a real creative outlet. Quieter in the second.
ST: Rosella Ayane - 5/10 - The quietest of the Tottenham front four, replaced before the hour mark.
Substitutes
SUB: Ashleigh Neville (54' for Harrop) - 5/10
SUB: Nikola Karczewska (54' for Ayane) - 5/10
SUB: Jess Naz (77' for Bizet) - 5/10
SUB: Angharad James (77' for Cho) - 5/10
SUB: Asmita Ale (87' for Bartrip) - N/A
West Ham player ratings (5-3-2)
GK: Mackenzie Arnold - 7/10 - Had a busy first half but rose to the challenge, tipping a Bizet cross over the bar and coming off her line quickly to block a cross.
RWB: Kate Longhurst - 7/10 - Moved to a more natural right back role following a spell at centre half, won West Ham's penalty in the first half with her desire to win back possession and a smart turn.
CB: Risa Shimizu - 7/10 - Moved into a centre back role having spent much of the season at left back. A solid display as West Ham held firm against Spurs' frontline.
CB: Grace Fisk - 8/10 - Made an important header to keep out Bizet in the second half, and brought the ball out well from the back on occasions. Crucially blocked the Spurs free kick that triggered the counter attack for West Ham's second.
CB: Hawa Cissoko - 8/10 - Back into the starting XI and marked the occasion with a goal, tearing forward from centre half and lifting the ball over Spencer with all the composure of seasoned striker. Solid defensively.
LWB: Kirsty Smith - 6/10 - Had a difficult time against the electric Bizet in the first half, but was troubled less defensively in the second.
CM: Abbey-Leigh Stringer - 6/10 - Had a difficult time against the lively Summenen but, like most of her side, improved in the second and ran her heart out throughout.
CM: Dagny Brynjarsdottir - 8/10 - Uncharacteristically dragged a spot kick wide on the cusp of half time. Atoned for her error by crashing home the opener from close range four minutes into the second half. Was absolutely everywhere.
CM: Honoka Hayashi - 5/10 - Popped up with a great block in the first half as West Ham rode out some early Tottenham pressure. Otherwise unable to have a huge impact on proceedings, and sacrificed at half time so the Hammers could bring on a more attacking option in Lisa Evans.
ST: Claudia Walker - 6/10 - Drew a save from Spencer in the latter stages of the first half. Replaced with nine minutes remaining.
ST: Viviane Asseyi - 7/10 - Moved to the left flank following the introduction of Evans. Saw her audacious overhead kick deflect into Brynjarsdottir's path for West Ham's opener. Came out on top in a 50:50 with Neville and then played the through ball for Cissoko for her side's second.
Substitutes
SUB: Lisa Evans (46' for Hayashi) - 7/10
SUB: Thea Kyvag (81' for Walker) - 6/10
SUB: Halle Houssein (90' for Stringer) - N/A