Riko UekiImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

West Ham United have failed to win in their last 11 games in the Women's Super League.

Riko Ueki's brave late header gave West Ham a deserved draw at home to Liverpool.

A first goal for Liverpool's club record signing Olivia Smith looked set to be enough for the Reds to win on the road before Japan international Ueki popped up.

Liverpool spent £210,000 to sign Canada international Smith from Sporting CP in the summer and her excellent finish lit up the first half.

West Ham recovered to press well and eventually force the goal, but their wretched home form now extends to one win in 18 WSL games.

The Hammers have been tipped by BBC pundits Fara Williams and Jen Beattie to be relegated this season but Ueki's strike gets them off the mark.

Liverpool are hoping to build on last season's fourth-place finish and will hope Smith's strike is a sign of what is to come from the 20-year-old.

They turned the ball over as West Ham tried to play out, with Smith running into the area, chopping inside on to her left foot and curling into the far corner.

A low cross from Smith nearly brought about a second for the visitors but just when they looked sure to win the game Ueki beat Liverpool goalkeeper Rachael Laws to a ball over the top to head in.

Player of the match

Number: 18 A. Denton
Average rating 7.56
Number: 18 A. Denton
Average Rating: 7.56
Number: 21 S. Cooke
Average Rating: 7.44
Number: 5 A. Tysiak
Average Rating: 7.35
Number: 14 S. Zadorsky
Average Rating: 7.33
Number: 22 K. Gorry
Average Rating: 7.26
Number: 10 D. Brynjarsdóttir
Average Rating: 7.11
Number: 9 R. Ueki
Average Rating: 7.05
Number: 7 M. Bergman-Lundin
Average Rating: 7.00
Number: 20 V. Asseyi
Average Rating: 6.87
Number: 1 K. Szemik
Average Rating: 6.86
Number: 26 Li Mengwen
Average Rating: 6.65
Number: 11 M. Paví
Average Rating: 6.65
Number: 77 S. Piubel
Average Rating: 6.56
Number: 12 E. Harries
Average Rating: 6.55

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