Sam Kerr and Erin Cuthbert helped Chelsea maintain their unbeaten start to the Women's Super League campaign with a 2-0 win over West Ham at Kingsmeadow. 

Aussie ace Kerr, 30, opened the scoring with her first goal of the season before Cuthbert wrapped up the points in stoppage time.

But Emma Hayes, who is hoping to guide her side to a fifth successive WSL title, was quick to admit there is still plenty of room for improvement. 

The Blues boss said: "Managers are always seeking perfection. Is it progress? Yeah, it's progress and that's all we want to see. 

"It's what I expect it to look like after three games in but the last 30 minutes is something to build on. I know we will improve."

West Ham could have taken the lead inside three minutes following a swift counter-attack that saw Anouk Denton bursting through the box. 

She glided an inch-perfect pass to Viviane Asseyi, whose effort was superbly blocked by a last-ditch Fran Kirby tackle. 

The reigning champions had their first attempt on goal through Melanie Leupolz as she fired a low-driving effort, which was comfortably saved by Hammers keeper Mackenzie Arnold. 

Another big chance fell to West Ham after some great play between Riko Ueki and Denton. The 20-year-old full-back delivered a low cross towards Emma Harries but she failed to direct her effort towards goal. 

The hosts gathered momentum as Lauren James' curling cross found Kerr, who managed to head the ball against the woodwork from an offside position. 

In the 32nd minute, Kerr did superbly well to meet James’ cross at the far post but the Australian striker could not direct her header past Arnold. 

Four minutes later, the deadlock was finally broken with some great patient build-up play when Niamh Charles whipped a dangerous cross into the box and Kerr thumped a header into the bottom corner. 

The Blues almost made it two when Kirby played a superb pass to James, who looked destined to slot home, but Arnold managed to pull off an astounding save. 

Rehanne Skinner's side played with a real sense of urgency at the start of the second half as Asseyi's corner was parried away and fell into the path of Kirsty Smith. 

The defender, 29, launched herself into an acrobatic bicycle kick from the edge of the box and Chelsea goalkeeper Zecira Musovic did well to tip it over the bar. 

With 24 minutes remaining, Ashley Lawrence teed up James inside the box but she managed to drag her effort wide. 

And the Blues had to wait until stoppage time for the season, with subs Jessie Fleming and Cuthbert combined well before the latter slotted the ball into the far corner.