Chelsea 2-2 West Ham: Martinez late show stuns WSL leaders

West Ham stunned Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea, with Shekiera Martinez’s goal in second-half stoppage time earning them a 2-2 draw.

Following victories for Manchester United and Arsenal earlier on Sunday, Chelsea’s lead at the summit has been cut to six points with four games of the season remaining.

The Blues face Crystal Palace, United, Tottenham and Liverpool in their final league matches, while they also have a Champions League semi-final against Barcelona to come.

Chelsea hit the front in the 16th minute when Maika Hamano swivelled and fired the ball into the bottom-left corner, despite the best efforts of Hammers goalkeeper Kinga Szemik.

The Blues appeared to be in cruise control when Aggie Beever-Jones fired the league leaders two goals ahead, but the visitors responded in the closing stages of the first half.

Martinez collected Riko Ueki’s cross into the area, taking her time before thumping the ball past Hannah Hampton to breathe new life into Rehanne Skinner’s team.

Neither side created any chances of note as the game ticked into the closing stages, but there was to be one final twist at Kingsmeadow, with Martinez involved once again.

After picking up the ball on the right-hand side, West Ham substitute Kirsty Smith floated a ball to the back post that was met by the head of Martinez to seal a share of the spoils and leave Sonia Bompastor’s hosts stunned.

A WELL EARNED POINT ON THE ROAD!!!

COME ON YOU IRONS! pic.twitter.com/KAFDH6UJoQ

— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) March 30, 2025

Data Debrief: Hammers halt Chelsea hoodoo

After their thrilling Champions League comeback against Manchester City in midweek, Chelsea looked as though they had used up all their energy, missing an opportunity to edge closer to the title.

Despite ending the contest with an expected goals (xG) total of 2.26 from their 23 shots to West Ham’s 1.08 from 14 attempts, it was the Hammers who registered more shots on target in the game (six to five).

For West Ham, meanwhile, it is another point closer to safety, with Skinner’s side now 10 points clear of bottom club Crystal Palace. It was also a rare occasion that the Hammers avoided defeat against their London rivals.

Since earning a 1-1 draw in their first WSL away game against Chelsea in 2019, they had lost five straight away league games against them by an aggregate score of 18-3, but they were able to halt the league leaders this time around.