London City Lionesses inflict eighth successive defeat on West Ham

Kosovare Asllani capitalised on a goalkeeping error to score the only goal as London City Lionesses inflicted an eighth successive Women's Super League defeat on West Ham.

Rehanne Skinner's Hammers remain rooted to the foot of the table following their 1-0 defeat, having failed to pick up a point in the league since April last season.

Newly promoted Lionesses, by contrast, move into the top half of the table after their third win in six WSL outings.

Jocelyn Precheur's side dominated possession throughout the opening 45 minutes at Hayes Lane, but it was West Ham's Viviane Asseyi who came closest to opening the scoring, a spectacular long-range effort clipping the outside of the post with goalkeeper Elene Lete well beaten.

Visitors West Ham grew into the London derby, with substitute Seraina Piubel and Shelina Zadorsky both having efforts cleared off the line during a positive spell after the break.

However, they gifted London City the lead in the 68th minute when goalkeeper Kinga Szemik had the ball pinched off her boot by veteran Swedish forward Asllani, who tapped what turned out to be the winner into an open goal.

Analysis: Lionesses flying as pressure mounts on West Ham

London City Lionesses are the first newly promoted side to win back-to-back matches since Leicester in February 2022

As the WSL heads towards the first international break of the season, London City Lionesses can be pleased with their start to top-flight life.

Heavy defeats against Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City have been tough lessons, but they have won their other three matches, beating last season's seventh, eighth and ninth-placed sides in Liverpool, Everton and West Ham.

This was not a flawless performance against West Ham. London City were nearly left to rue failing to turn their 66% first-half possession into a goal as West Ham went close several times in the second period.

The Lionesses are still struggling to click in the final third, but the experience of Asllani, who spotted a loose touch from Szemik and crept up on her blindside, proved the difference.

London City head coach Precheur told club media: "I think that it's almost never happened - a promoted team earning nine points after six games.

"It proves we're in the WSL for a good reason."

While the newcomers, nine points clear of the relegation zone, are looking up, the same cannot be said for West Ham.

Playing in their black-and-gold third strip for the first time, for the opening 60 minutes it looked as though West Ham's fresh look could also signify a fresh start.

They sat deep in defence to weather the early pressure from their hosts, looked dangerous on the counter-attack, and were unlucky not to score early in the second half after emerging from the break the better side.

But they kept spurning chances, often failing to find the final pass, and although they were unlucky to be denied by the woodwork, it is hard to see where a goal is going to come from.

West Ham had 12 shots - three on target - without scoring against the Lionesses and have now scored just twice from 66 shots this season.

London City's winner, against the run of play, came from a West Ham error so was avoidable.

Coupled with implosions against Aston Villa (conceding two goals in eight minutes) and Chelsea (three goals in seven minutes), it marks the third consecutive match where the team have had real cause for regret.

At this stage, it appears a season-long relegation battle with fellow winless side Liverpool beckons.

West Ham have not won a league match since beating Crystal Palace 7-1 in April

What next for these teams?

London City Lionesses are at home to Leicester City in the Women's League Cup group stage on Sunday, 19 October (14:00 BST) while their next league fixture is away at Chelsea on Saturday, 1 November (12:00 GMT).

West Ham are also on the road on 1 November, travelling to Manchester City (12:00 GMT).

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