West Ham striker Lisa Evans has sent a strong warning to Man United and manager Mark Skinner after the Hammers opened up their WSL account for 2022/23 with a battling 1-0 victory over Everton.
Paul Konchesky's side got off to a winning start last weekend as Lisa Evans' instinctive header was the difference in the game between the two new managerial debutants. The former Liverpool, Leicester and West Ham defender admitted he was 'over the moon' post-match while Brian Sorensen was left ruing a lack of clinical edge in front of goal for his side.
"We had a bit of a tough pre-season," goalscorer Evans admitted to the club's website. "I think we showed to today that the hard work and fight can get you a long way and the first half performance was really good from us.
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"We had the better of the chances, we looked really dangerous on the counter-attack and obviously, in the second half, we defended for our lives in the end and we worked really hard and for each other and it paid off in the end and got us the three points."
New signings Risa Shimizu, Jessica Ziu and Viviane Asseyi played their parts in helping this new-look West Ham side achieve opening weekend victory. Evans, who herself signed permanently from Arsenal after a rather fruitful loan spell in East London in 2021/22, is excited at what is to come from the side once they have fully gelled with the fresh acquisitions in mind.
"We still need a bit more time together but I think for the most part, the girls done really well. The debutants did absolutely amazing and Smudger (Kirsty Smith), Jess Ziu, Viv (Asseyi) all did really good and obviously our Japanese double act, it was all really really good."
Next up for Konchesky's side is the tough home assignment against Skinner's Man United outfit, who are being tipped to achieve a Champions League finish this time round. Their 4-0 demolition of Kelly Chambers' Reading was a sign for what could be about to happen at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
However, despite Skinner's team containing Lionesses heroes; Ella Toone, Alessia Russo and Mary Earps, the Scottish international has referenced past results between the two clubs as a reason why West Ham should feel optimistic heading into this clash as underdogs.
"Absolutely [momentum is good going into Man United]. We know that we have done well against them last season," she added. "We obviously drew with them with a last-minute header from Grace Fisk last season. So, we know that they have strengthened and it will be a really difficult game but one that we are capable of competing in."
