West Ham Women secured a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in the Barclay’s Women’s Super League on Saturday afternoon, but the performance was marred by unsavoury scenes in additional time as Hawa Cissoko received a red card.
It was the perfect start for Paul Konchesky’s side as they took the lead inside the opening few minutes at the Bescot Stadium. Kirsty Smith’s in-swinging corner was headed home by captain Dagny Brynjarsdottir.
Less than 10 minutes later, Honoka Hayashi doubled the Hammers' lead as she slotted her effort beyond Villa goalkeeper Anna Leat. Viviane Asseyi almost made it three before the break as a poor back-pass was picked up by the 28-year-old, however, the angle was too tight as she fired it into the side-netting.
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Villa, though, were sensing a comeback as they dominated possession in the second-half and Carla Ward’s side were awarded a penalty just after the 70 minute mark. Mackenzie Arnold’s heroic display was compounded with a save from the spot as she denied Alisha Lehmann.
Former Hammer Kenza Dali gave Villa a glimmer of hope with a little over 10 minutes left to play with a brilliant strike into the top corner. The hosts were unable to capitalise on the momentum late on as they were unable to break down a resilient West Ham defence.
As the clock ticked into additional time tempers frayed and Cissoko was involved in an altercation with Villa’s Sarah Mayling and was sent off as a result. Unsavoury scenes followed in the dugout with another coming together between both sets of staff and Konchesky also received his marching orders.
The West Ham boss cleared up the situation post-match and came to the defence of his players, as he told reporters: “I’m not sure what happened on the pitch, or how it happened. I did see Hawa raise her hands, but I did see the opponent raise her hands as well. She stays on the pitch, Hawa gets sent off.
“As Hawa goes down the tunnel, some of their staff were saying stuff to my players which I don’t respect. Me and my staff will obviously stick up for my players and I think that’s why you see it all go off near the dugout.
“I did get sent down the tunnel. Was it harsh? Probably because I’m sticking up for my player who is getting stuff said to her. So whatever the consequences I’ll take. We don’t want to see that happening in football, I get it, but I’ll stick up for my players."
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