An early goal from Honoka Hayashi against her former club proved to be the difference as Everton sealed a third straight win in the Women's Super League for the first time in three years.

The Japan midfielder pounced at the back post inside the opening 10 minutes to tap home a great cross from Hannah Blundell and earn a huge three points for the Toffees.

"We are just happy and really proud of the players in terms of the effort they put in today," said interim Everton boss Scott Phelan after the game.

"We want opposition teams to come here and feel the difference and go away knowing they've been in a real tough game, and hopefully West Ham have felt a little bit of that today in certain moments.

"We want more but as a start, we couldn't ask for much more."

West Ham started the better but it was the hosts that took the lead when Hayashi bundled home following an excellent breakaway move.

A long ball from Yuka Momiki caused confusion between Tuva Hansen and goalkeeper Kinga Szemik and nearly gifted Everton a second but Szemik recovered well to clear.

And the Poland stopper was soon called into action again, this time getting down brilliantly to deny Inma Gabarro a second goal in as many games.

West Ham upped the ante in the second half but continued to struggle to test the goal of Courtney Brosnan.

It was Everton that should have put the game to bed when Gabarro found herself in acres of space inside the penalty area but her tame effort was denied by the feet of Szemik.

The visitors pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages but the hosts defended valiantly to hold on for a third WSL win in as many games.

Everton's impressive recent form continued as they made it three straight wins in the WSL for the first time since January 2023.

Only opponents West Ham (December 2018) and Brighton (November 2021) had been on longer waits for three positive results and the Toffees can breathe a sigh of relief that their name has been removed from that list.

The victory also means that interim manager Scott Phelan becomes the first Everton head coach to win back-to-back Women's Super League games.

Phelan called for positive performances when he took the reins and that has certainly shown during the past couple of games.

Had Everton been a little more clinical with their chances, this one could have looked far more comfortable.

On the other hand, West Ham's struggles on Merseyside continued.

The result means they are now winless in their last six trips to Everton (D2, L4), last picking up a win in October 2018 under Andy Spence.

Despite controlling large chunks of possession on the day and attempting more passes than they have in any other game this season, Rita Guarino's side rarely tested Brosnan.

That lack of cutting-edge means they have now failed to score in seven of their 16 games this season - the most of any team in the WSL.

It's FA Cup fifth round action for both next time out with Everton travelling to local rivals Liverpool on Sunday, 22 February (16:30 GMT), while West Ham host Brighton on the same day with the slightly earlier kick-off time of 12:00 GMT.

Head here to get involved