3 Takeaways as Chelsea Women go top with win over West Ham

2. A defending champion against a relegation contender

This match was the perfect example of why the Irons are on their way to tying their worst finish in WSL history. Konchesky’s team started the campaign in relatively good form, but after its win over Tottenham on the road in early December, the east Londoners have hit rock bottom. This is not the club that finished sixth in the English top-flight last year.

The west Londoners reaped the benefits of a rival that is severely underachieving at the end of the campaign. The numbers say that the Irons should not be safe from relegation. Their number of goals, possession statistics, and goal differential put the east Londoners right in the mix with Spurs, Leicester City, and Reading at the very bottom of the table.

The way this team kicked things off is the only reason for the Irons’ safety. Heading into the season, the east London outfit brought in significant reinforcements including a new manager in Konchesky who took control of the team from Olli Harder in May 2022. The relentlessness of the west Londoners’ since the calendar turned to May has helped them pass Man United in goal differential. 14 goals scored, one goal against in three matches in all competitions for the Blues against the Irons in 2022/2023. Mackenzie Arnold saved the east London side on occasion while the referee let three potential penalties go in the first half which could have created an even more inflated final score.