BETH ENGLAND and Erin Cuthbert helped Chelsea crank up the pressure on WSL leaders Arsenal with a win over London rivals West Ham.
The pair’s goals paved the way for a 2-0 defeat of the Hammers with the champs now a point off the Gunners and with a game in hand.
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And the result saw Chelsea, who face Manchester City next in the league, end their opponents’ five-game unbeaten run.
Emma Hayes’ side, who were without star forward Sam Kerr, had the vast majority of shots on goal.
But they faced a defensively resolute Hammers outfit with Anna Leat putting in a solid shift between the sticks for much of the game.
The Irons stopper pulled off an impressive 15th minute save of Pernille Harder’s powerful header before thwarting Aniek Nouwen’s effort seconds later.
The visitors saw Lucy Parker and Hawa Cissoko given yellow cards for heavy challenges on Cuthbert in the first half hour.
And Sophie Ingle inadvertently hit the woodwork with her cross shortly before Olli Harder’s side missed a chance to capitalise on Katerina Svitkova 30th minute free kick.
The second spell saw Hayes shuffle her deck with England coming on for Guro Reiten to bag her 50thWSL goal.
The Lionesses ace buried a low shot minutes into the half following a Leat save after Cuthbert’s attempt on the edge of the area.
England looked to nab a second minutes later before the West Ham stopper denied Cuthbert again in the 69th minute.
But the Scotland ace wrapped up the win with a belting left-footed strike minutes before the final whistle.
The result saw the Kingsmeadow giants leapfrog Manchester United to go second ahead of their FA Cup fourth-round trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.
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