Bristol City shook off their Championship title celebration hangover to notch their inaugural Women’s Super League victory of the season, toppling West Ham in a pulsating encounter.
At the outset, West Ham seemed to wield control, seizing an early advantage when Viviane Asseyi coolly converted a penalty following Megan Connolly’s indiscretion in the box.
However, their lead was as fleeting as a Snapchat story, erased in five minutes when Amalie Thestrup soared to meet Rachel Furness’ pinpoint cross with a thumping header.
The tide kept turning Bristol City’s way as Ella Powell pounced on a rebound from Mackenzie Arnold, who had been left scrambling after a gymnastic attempt from Amy Rodgers.
Before the halftime whistle could offer respite, Riko Ueki restored parity, deftly finishing off an assist from her fellow countrywoman Honoka Hayashi, sending the teams into intermission locked at 2-2.
In the second act, Megan Connolly’s transformation from villain to heroine was complete as she delivered a free-kick with surgical precision onto the head of Brooke Aspin, who nodded in what proved to be the winner.
Bristol City’s narrative unfolded further when Amalie Thestrup almost turned from scorer to storyteller with a second goal, but it was scrubbed off for offside, keeping the match on a knife-edge.
The aftermath of this dramatic showdown left Bristol City a notch above the basement, their tally now three points richer than a yet-to-score Aston Villa.
West Ham, nestled in eighth place, find themselves pondering what could’ve been after five bouts in the league.
Bristol City’s Leap from Chasers to Champions
The return to the elite has been no walk in the park for Bristol City. The newly promoted squad faced an onslaught of losses in their opening fixtures, with a narrow defeat to Arsenal before the international hiatus showing glimmers of their tenacity.
Against West Ham, their resilience was on full display; they weathered the storm, especially after seizing their third goal, making the Hammers’ attacks seem as harmless as a breeze.
Carrie Jones emerged as the defensive linchpin, her timely intervention quashing Ueki’s ambitions and leaving her side-lined with an injury as a result.
Coach Lauren Smith’s crew battened down the hatches, ensuring that the second half didn’t mimic the helter-skelter rhythm of the first.
West Ham, despite hoarding 64% possession and bombarding Bristol with chances from Asseyi and Mel Filis, couldn’t engineer an equalizer.
Looking ahead, Bristol City could add to their points pantry as they prep to host a Villa team reeling from a 6-goal drubbing by Chelsea.
Meanwhile, West Ham’s solo victory in the season so far offers little comfort as they gear up for a face-off with Manchester United next.
The post-match stats tell the tale of an encounter where possession and opportunities were aplenty, but the day belonged to Bristol City, who, with fewer shots, corners, and possession, displayed clinical efficiency to walk away with all three points.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Bristol City WSL victory
Who scored the winning goal for Bristol City against West Ham?
Brooke Aspin scored the decisive winning goal for Bristol City with a header from a second-half free-kick delivered by Megan Connolly.
What was the final score between West Ham and Bristol City?
The final score was 3-2 in favor of Bristol City.
How did West Ham initially take the lead in the game?
West Ham took the lead after Viviane Asseyi successfully converted a penalty that was awarded due to a handball by Megan Connolly.
Did Amalie Thestrup’s goal for Bristol City stand?
No, Amalie Thestrup had a goal disallowed for offside.
What position is Bristol City in after their win against West Ham?
After their victory, Bristol City is sitting second-bottom, just above Aston Villa.
Who will Bristol City face next after their win over West Ham?
Bristol City is set to host Aston Villa in their next game.
What was significant about Bristol City’s performance against Arsenal earlier in the season?
Despite suffering a defeat, Bristol City managed to limit Arsenal, a title contender, to a narrow one-goal victory margin.
How did Megan Connolly make up for her earlier mistake that led to a penalty?
Megan Connolly redeemed herself by delivering the free-kick that led to Brooke Aspin’s winning header.
What does the victory over West Ham mean for Bristol City?
The victory gives Bristol City their first win of the season and three valuable points as they look to climb out of the relegation zone.
More about Bristol City WSL victory
- Bristol City’s Season Victory
- West Ham vs Bristol City Highlights
- WSL Standings After Bristol’s Win
- Megan Connolly’s Redemption
- Bristol City’s Defensive Strategies
6 comments
haha West Ham’s defense was like swiss cheese, full of holes Connolly’s freekick was top notch though
its like we forget how to play after 45 mins someone pls explain what happens in that locker room
Aspin’s header!!! that’s the kinda stuff we need more of, let’s keep those wings flapping girls
missed the game, just read the update, sounds like a proper rollercoaster, should’ve bet on this one huh
oh wow Bristol’s back with a bang huh? thought they were goners after the first half, those girls got spirit
good luck to West Ham facing us next week, gonna need more than luck if they play like this again Manchester’s red not claret and blue