Bristol City Women 1-2 West Ham United Women: Hammers claim huge win in WSL relegation battle

Bristol City and West Ham both came into this game having won just one of their first 11 WSL matches this season

West Ham struck a huge blow in the Women's Super League relegation battle with victory at Bristol City.

The league's bottom two met at Ashton Gate, and West Ham's win means they are now three points clear of bottom club City.

Honoka Hayashi fired West Ham ahead in the first half, before Amalie Thestrup equalised shortly after the break.

But Viviane Asseyi squeezed home the winner in the 55th minute for the jubilant visitors.

The Hammers opened the scoring in the 13th minute through a fine low left-footed finish by Japan midfielder Hayashi, who steered home from inside the D after the hosts failed to clear a cross.

Asseyi was then denied a brilliant goal as she volleyed home from 25 yards, only for a foul to be given in the build-up.

But City drew level three minutes after the restart in dramatic circumstances. West Ham thought they had gone 2-0 up when debutant Shelina Zadorsky bundled in from close range, only to be flagged offside.

Bristol took their free-kick quickly and broke down the right, Ffion Morgan racing away and pulling back from the byeline for Thestrup to fire home against the club where she spent last season on loan.

But Asseyi would not be denied as she scored her fourth WSL goal of the season for the winner, slotting through the legs of Shae Yanez after being set free by Jess Ziu.

Bereft Bristol still winless at home

With both sides having accrued just five points from their first 11 league games this season - and starting the day six points adrift of 10th place - this was a genuine must-win match.

It was the Hammers who rose to the challenge as Bristol City continue to make a limp fist of their return to the WSL following promotion last season.

They came close inside the first two minutes, defender Sille Struck narrowly heading over from a corner, and showed resolve to equalise shortly after half-time. But in both cases they ceded control to West Ham soon after.

Lauren Smith's side have now conceded 31 league goals this season as they still look ill-equipped for the challenge of top-flight football.

Bristol have also now lost all six of their league games at Ashton Gate this season and their last nine at home in the WSL. Yeovil Town's record of 11 home losses in 2017-18 is worryingly in view.

For West Ham, their status as WSL ever-presents is slightly bolstered by their first league win since victory at Brighton in their second match this term.

It also provided welcome relief for West Ham manager Rehanne Skinner, with this just her second victory in her last 21 matches as a coach, including her previous spell at Tottenham Hotspur.