Reaction: Arturo Ruiz and Maisie Symonds on West Ham win

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Head coach and skipper share their thoughts after Saturday's 3-0 win over West Ham.

2026-10-24T20:00+01:00

Arturo Ruiz was delighted to see Albion make it back-to-back WSL wins at the Amex.

Head coach Arturo Ruiz praised his side’s tactical flexibility, labelling Saturday’s 3-0 victory over West Ham at the Amex as their most complete performance of the season.

"We saw the starting XI, we figured out what they were doing, and that's something I want to highlight," he said. "I feel very proud that after working on a kind of game plan, it was very important to adapt before the game started.

“The girls caught that adaptation, that confidence, and we've seen the level that we want to raise every day."

While celebrating the clinical edge that brought his side goals from Maisie Symonds, Fran Kirby and Kiko Seike, Ruiz was quick to credit the visitors for making it a testing evening.

"The most important thing is that we suffered and adapted to the things that our rival did. I think West Ham played a very good game and that gives value to our victory."

The match also saw Kirby utilised in a more advanced striking role, a tactical tweak Ruiz believes will pay dividends. "Today she had that new role. I think that rotation and flexibility of our players is going to be key for us," he added.

"I will say that it is the most complete game for us, but I don't forget the good performances that we've done so far in which we didn't get the 3-0s. It all takes time, but now I feel very happy about the three points."

Symonds hailed a dominant second-half display after her spectacular 30-yard strike helped seal Albion’s second win of the season in horrendous conditions of rain and strong winds.

“I don't think I've ever played in conditions like this, certainly not for a long time, but it was a lot of fun,” Symonds said.

“Before, we were all saying if someone scores we have to do a belly slide. I didn't quite get the belly slide, but at least got the knees in!” When asked about her spectacular strike itself, she admitted the moment was a blur: “I don't even remember it. It just fell and I think it was in the back of the net before I knew anything about it.”

Albion dictated the early stages before losing their rhythm late in the first half, but a clinical second period ensured they added to her opening goal.

“We said at half-time we need to finish the game early, go for two or three, not hang on for one. In the second half we had control of the whole game and luckily the second and third went in,” added Symonds.

The victory provided a much-needed lift for a squad adjusting to a new coach and carrying the expectations of a strong campaign last season,

“We demand more from each other now than we ever have since I've been at the club. We haven't been happy with our current form and we needed a result and a performance today, especially for the fans coming out in this weather. We are super happy to get that.”