It was all smiles for Chelsea at the end of a tough London derby against West Ham on Sunday afternoon as they recorded their eighth successive away win with a 2-0 victory at Dagenham & Redbridge’s stadium.

The Blues’ first goal came after seven minutes as Beth England chased down and squared a wonderful cross which was met by Sam Kerr, whose header powered into the net for her 12th goal of the season.

Chelsea’s second came soon after the restart. Naimh Charles seized the chance of a swift throw-in, and sent Kerr galloping down the right wing. She crossed, and Beth England headed home for 2-0.

And there the score stayed, with the Irons having plenty of half-chances in the second half, and Chelsea finding themselves on the back foot for stretches of a fluid match.

Millie Bright was again the stand-in captain as Magda Eriksson tries to recover from injury in time for this week’s away leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Atletico Madrid (a game being staged in Italy).

There was the bonus of a clean sheet, which will have delighted Swedish debutante Zecira Musovic – a strong, commanding presence between the sticks, who rose to the challenge well when her most challenging moment arrived shortly after the hour mark as an inswinging corner almost dipped under her bar. She guided it away by a firm hand.

Emma Hayes gave several key players a breather in the second half by bringing on Jess Carter, Jessie Fleming, Fran Kirby and Drew Spence to save tired legs.

All in all, it was a well won, but pressured victory. It means Chelsea Women have now gone 36 games unbeaten away in the league; some record.