Emma Hayes’ side waved goodbye to 2023 on a positive note and finished the year with a three-point advantage at the top of the Barclays Women’s Super League table, complimented with a one-point lead at the summit of Group D in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

During the winter break, the team travelled to Morocco for a warm weather camp where preparations began for a return to action this month. Meanwhile, we welcomed a new face to the Chelsea family with Swedish defender Nathalie Bjorn making the switch from Everton.

Our first competitive game of the New Year sees us enter the FA Cup at the fourth round with the draw conjuring up a London derby, pitting us against Rehanne Skinner’s West Ham United side who have recruited some big names in the early stages of the January transfer window.

When and where?

West Ham United are the visitors to Kingsmeadow this Sunday 14 January in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup fourth round, with kick-off scheduled for 1pm (UK time).

How to follow

As always, you can follow the game via Chelsea Women’s social media channels. There will be live commentary on our Twitter page and regular updates on Facebook and Instagram. Simply search ‘ChelseaFCW’ on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

For supporters who are unable to attend the match on Sunday, the fixture will also be available to watch via the FA Player platform.

The form

On the domestic front, we have collected 25 points from 30 available in the league with eight wins, one draw and one defeat to date. We have scored 32 goals and conceded 11 in the process leaving us with a goal difference of 21.

As for West Ham, they occupy 11th place in the WSL table after one win, two draws and seven defeats thus far and have made three additions to their squad this month in the shape of Shelina Zadorsky, Katrina Gorry and Kristie Mewis ahead of the second half of the campaign.

Our entrance into the FA Cup sees us competing across three different competitions and after an emphatic start to the defence of our WSL title, the Blues will be hoping to go about the defence of our FA Cup crown in much the same fashion.

Chelsea vs West Ham United recent head-to-head record

Our most recent meeting with West Ham came back in October and was our first home league game of the season at Kingsmeadow, and we were made to work for a 2-0 victory in front of the television cameras.

Sam Kerr set us on our way 10 minutes before the break and with the game hanging in the balance, Erin Cuthbert made sure of the victory in the final moments to secure three points and a clean sheet on the night.

Next up for the Blues

We make our return to Barclays Women’s Super League action when Manchester United are the visitors to Stamford Bridge next Sunday 21 January, with kick-off at 12.30pm (UK time).

Tickets for what promises to be a magnificent encounter are available to purchase here.