Barclays WSL
Chelsea began their Women’s Super League title defence with a 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester City
at Stamford Bridge.
Summer signing Ellie Carpenter marked her debut with a standout performance, delivering a pinpoint assist for
Aggie Beever-Jones’ 31st minute opener and consistently troubling City’s defence. Maika Hamano doubled the lead in the 64th minute, slotting past goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita. A Niamh Charles own goal gave City a lifeline with twenty minutes remaining, but Chelsea held firm. Carpenter, reunited with manager Sonia Bompastor, showcased her attacking flair, outpacing England’s Alex Greenwood. City’s new boss Andree Jeglertz, in his first WSL match, saw debuts from Sydney Lohmann and Jade Rose, but despite hitting the bar through Greenwood’s free kick, City couldn’t overturn Chelsea’s clinical edge on the night.
European champions Arsenal overcame an early scare to defeat newly promoted London City Lionesses 4-1 at Emirates Stadium. The Lionesses stunned the hosts when captain Kosovare Asllani converted a penalty after Katie Reid’s foul. however, Arsenal’s £1m signing Olivia Smith equalised with a stunning long range strike, before Chloe Kelly poked in a close range effort before half time. Substitutes Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum sealed the win with late goals, as Arsenal’s strength in depth proved too much for the spirited Lionesses, who impressed despite their defeat.
Everton’s Ornella Vignola stole the show with a hat-trick on her debut, leading her side to a 4-1 beating of rivals Liverpool at Anfield in the Merseyside derby. Liverpool took an early lead through Cornelia Kapocs’ 12th minute strike, but Vignola levelled soon after. Katja Snoeijs’ header just before half time put Everton ahead, and Vignola’s quickfire double in the second half sealed a fifth consecutive derby win at Anfield. Everton’s summer investments, including club record signing Ruby Mace, paid dividends, while Liverpool’s promising start under new manager Gareth Taylor faded after a dominant first half.
Manchester United kicked off their WSL campaign with a 4-0 rout of Leicester City at a rain-soaked Leigh Sports Village, boosting confidence ahead of their Champions League qualifier against SK Brann. Ella Toone opened the scoring in the 13th minute, followed by Elisabeth Terland’s header. Melvine Malard, a constant threat, added a third after Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig’s error and she completed the scoring with a powerful strike. Leicester, under interim coach Rick Passmoor and reeling from the departure of Ruby Mace, struggled to match United’s sharpness, ensuring that United will take the position of opening day leaders.
New Tottenham Hotspur head coach Martin Ho enjoyed a winning start as his Spurs side edged West Ham United 1-0 in a lacklustre affair. A late penalty, won by Eveliina Summanen and converted by captain Beth England, secured the points. Both sides struggled for fluency, with West Ham’s best chance coming from a chaotic corner and Spurs’ Olivia Holdt impressing. The Hammers suffered a blow when goalkeeper Kinga Szemik was injured, leaving replacement Megan Walsh unable to stop England’s spot kick.
Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa shared the spoils in a goalless draw at Broadfield Stadium, watched by England boss Sarina Wiegman. Newly appointed Villa captain Rachel Daly and Brighton’s Michelle Agyemang both struck the woodwork, while Kiko Seike and Lynn Wilms went close late on. Despite the lack of goals, both sides showed attacking intent but couldn’t find the decisive breakthrough.
