West Ham Women manager Rita Guarino hopes her side can demonstrate more attacking quality moving forward after their excellent defensive performance secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday. The Hammers took an early lead through a Cornelia Kapocs own goal before withstanding sustained pressure from the hosts to claim all three points.

The result means basement side Leicester City must win all three of their remaining WSL fixtures to have any chance of overtaking West Ham in the battle to avoid the relegation playoff position. The victory represents West Ham’s second clean sheet in four matches and condemned Liverpool to just their third defeat of 2026.

Guarino Praises Defensive Unit Performance

While satisfied with the defensive solidity on display, Guarino is eager for the Hammers to show greater composure when they have possession. Liverpool dominated the ball with 60.6 percent possession compared to West Ham’s 39.4 percent and looked the more threatening side after falling behind.

Centre back Estelle Cascarino won the Player of the Match award for her outstanding display as West Ham recorded 30 clearances compared to Liverpool’s 18. “It was an important performance, especially in the defence,” Guarino explained after the match. “We played well in the first half, we scored early, and then we had two opportunities to score again.”

Italian Boss Eyes Improvement in Possession

The West Ham manager admitted her team struggled to retain the ball and push higher up the pitch during the second period. “It was not a plan to defend more; it was the opponent that pushed more forward. We were not able, when we had the ball, to stay up and manage the ball better,” she stated.

Next up, West Ham travel to Aston Villa in their penultimate fixture of the campaign.

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Kosovare Asllani has come through surgery on the serious knee injury she sustained in March, with the 36 year old sharing news of the operation on Instagram alongside a thumbs up photograph that confirmed the procedure went well. The London City Lionesses captain wrote, “Now the real journey begins,” in her post, signalling the start of what promises to be a lengthy and demanding rehabilitation process for one of the most decorated players in women’s football history.

The injury occurred during London City’s WSL clash with West Ham, when Asllani suffered damage to multiple ligaments in her knee, including a complete ACL tear. A diagnosis of that severity always pointed toward surgery, and the club confirmed the extent of the damage shortly after the incident.

Asllani Opens Up on Heartbreak of Diagnosis

The Swedish international did not shield her raw emotion when addressing the injury publicly, describing it as precisely the kind of setback every professional footballer dreads receiving. Learning the full damage had been confirmed clearly devastated her, which is completely understandable given her age and the timing during London City’s historic debut WSL season. Asllani has been the heartbeat of everything the promoted club achieved in the top flight this term.

Surgery Successful as Recovery Begins in Earnest

The thumbs up photograph posted alongside her Instagram update suggests the operation delivered the outcome her medical team was targeting. Getting through surgery cleanly is the essential first step, but the genuinely difficult work starts now. Months of intensive rehabilitation, setbacks, and physical rebuilding await before she can even consider returning to competitive football.

Long Absence Looms for Lionesses Legend

ACL recoveries typically demand nine to twelve months minimum, meaning Asllani realistically faces missing the entirety of next season. At 36, the questions surrounding whether she returns at all will grow louder as time passes. She has the mental strength to prove everyone wrong, but London City must plan carefully for an extended period without their irreplaceable captain.

Also read: Alessia Russo Beats Fellow England and Arsenal Star to Women’s Super League Player of the Month Award as Lionesses Striker Named March Winner Alongside Boss Renee Slegers

Alessia Russo dedicated her goal to a young Arsenal supporter who sadly passed away on Thursday. The England striker scored Arsenal’s second in a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham United at Emirates Stadium, forming a C with her hands during the celebration.

Russo explained the deeper meaning behind the hand gesture after the match. The forward had visited the young fan a couple of weeks ago before her passing, which demonstrates the close bond between players and supporters at the club.

Was for Cara Jo and Her Family

Russo spoke about the dedication in her post match interview. “It was nice to get on the scoresheet. The C was for a young girl called Cara Jo. She sadly passed away on Thursday, but I went to see her a couple of weeks ago,” the striker said.

She continued, “She unfortunately had cancer, but she was a proper fighter and a proper gooner. So yes, that was for her and her family,” which is absolutely heartbreaking but shows the incredible spirit of young supporters battling illness.

Really Professional Performance

Russo was pleased with Arsenal’s composed display against the Hammers. “Really professional. Scoring early as well was great. And then we were very clinical in and around the box. Probably could have been a little bit more ruthless as well if we’d been tough on ourselves,” she explained.

The 27 year old is looking forward to playing at Emirates Stadium again this week. “We’re really excited today to be back at the Emirates and then knowing that we’re here Tuesday and then Saturday as well. This is our home. We love playing here,” Russo said.

Arsenal hosts Chelsea in the Champions League quarter final first leg on Tuesday before welcoming Tottenham in the North London derby on Saturday, which promises to be a massive week.

Also read: Khiara Keating Might Have to Make Most of Rare Man City Opportunity to Prove Her England Lionesses Credentials Due To ‘This’