Despite their best efforts, West Ham Women fell to a 4-3 defeat against Arsenal in the WSL, with the Gunners staging a comeback to claim all three points.

Rehanne Skinner’s side went into the half time break with a 2-1 lead after a brace from centre back Amber Tysiak. Her first saw her guide a well placed header in to the back of the net following a corner from Viv Asseyi, she prodded home her second from close range just four minutes later giving the Hammers a 2-0 lead after just 12 minutes. Chloe Kelly pulled one back for the Gunners late in the first half making it 2-1 going into half time.

The second half could not have been more eventful. The Hammers found a third and extended their lead shortly after half time thanks to Shekiera Martinez’ brilliantly well taken goal. Remarkably, three goals in just six minutes from Katie McCabe, Leah Williamson and Mariona Caldentey saw Arsenal flip the game on it’s head and sail into a 4-3 lead by the 62nd minute.

West Ham had chances late on, both Anouk Denton and Eva Nystrom went close, but Rehanne Skinner’s side were unable to find an equaliser and the game ended in a 4-3 defeat.

Despite the disappointment letting a 3-1 lead slip, manager Rehanne Skinner felt there were positives the Hammers could take moving forward and was proud of her side’s effort. “I said to them (the players): ‘I know it hurts’. There’s not going to be anything I can really say when we’ve given everything that we have and we were 3-1 up.” said the Hammers boss.

Skinner went on to add: “Our performances are continuing to grow. We’re more aggressive, we’re pressing higher, we’re creating more chances and scoring more goals. That’s going to stand us in good stead for the remainder of the season.”

Defensively, the Hammers will be bitterly disappointed. To let a 3-1 lead slip in the space of six minutes highlights a need for more composure and resilience in key moments in games, especially against top sides like Arsenal.

That being said, Rehanne Skinner’s side can take great pride in their attacking display, scoring three goals, posing a real threat and making life difficult for a side sitting third in the WSL. This should give them plenty of confidence heading in to their remaining games of the season.