Khadija Shaw started the new WSL campaign in familiar fashion as Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Liverpool all picked up victories, while Chelsea were held by Aston Villa
The new Women’s Super League season got underway with plenty of excitement, new faces and early statements across the division.
The expanded 14-team league kicked off on Friday night, with the opening weekend immediately delivering a major result as London City Lionesses defeated Manchester United 2-1.
Chelsea were then held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa on Saturday, before Sunday produced five more fixtures, including victories for reigning champions Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Crystal Palace.
For several players, it was also a weekend to remember as new signings made immediate impacts for their clubs, while the promoted sides showed that they would not simply be making up the numbers.
London City made an early statement
The WSL season began on Friday night with one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the weekend as London City Lionesses welcomed Manchester United.
With London City having made a number of major additions during the summer, including two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, there was plenty of attention on what the ambitious side could produce in their opening game.
They delivered an early statement with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United.
London City took the lead through an own goal before Daniëlle van de Donk doubled their advantage in the 82nd minute with a superb finish.
Manchester United managed to pull one back through Simi Awujo deep into stoppage time, but it was too late to deny London City their first three points of the campaign.
Putellas made her WSL debut, while the result provided an early indication of the ambitions surrounding the club this season. London City had entered the campaign with one of the most talked-about squads in the division, and their opening-night victory gave them the perfect platform to build on.
For Manchester United, meanwhile, it was a disappointing start to the new era under head coach Eva Olid.
Chelsea were held by Aston Villa
The Blues started brightly and took the lead in the 11th minute through Lauren James.
James put Chelsea ahead early on and the hosts looked to build on their advantage, but Aston Villa remained in the contest and eventually found a way back into the game.
With 10 minutes remaining, Villa were handed an equaliser when Veerle Buurman turned the ball into her own net in the 80th minute.
Chelsea pushed for a late winner, but Villa held firm to claim a valuable point away from home.
It meant Chelsea had to settle for a draw despite taking the lead early, while Villa could look back on a disciplined performance that earned them a deserved share of the points.
For Chelsea, it was not the perfect opening to a campaign in which they will once again be expected to challenge near the top of the table.
Shaw picked up where she left off
The Jamaica international, who finished last season as the WSL's Golden Boot winner, scored twice after the break to put the result beyond doubt.
Mary Fowler had initially opened the scoring, with her goal also marking Manchester City's 1,000th goal as a professional women's side.
Shaw then took centre stage, rising highest to head home from two corners to give City a commanding advantage.
Her first header came in the 55th minute before she struck again late on, ensuring City had a comfortable cushion heading into the closing stages.
Birmingham did manage to find a late consolation through Océane Hurtré, but Manchester City had already done enough to secure all three points.
There were plenty of positives for Birmingham despite the defeat, particularly from goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley, who produced an impressive debut performance and helped keep the score down during the first half.
For City, meanwhile, it was another reminder of just how important Shaw could be to their hopes of defending the WSL title.
The victory also came on a landmark day for Lauren Hemp, who made her 200th appearance for Manchester City.
Baum made instant Arsenal impact
Arsenal also began their title challenge with three points after edging past Brighton 1-0.
The Gunners had endured difficult trips to Brighton in recent league campaigns, but Lisa Baum ensured they avoided another setback with a superb debut goal.
The 19-year-old, who joined Arsenal from RB Leipzig during the summer, opened the scoring in the 10th minute.
Baum created room inside the area before producing a clinical finish to give Arsenal an early lead and make an immediate impression on her debut.
The goal proved to be enough as Arsenal held on for a narrow victory and made the perfect start to their campaign.
There were plenty of new faces in the Arsenal starting XI, with Baum joined by Georgia Stanway, Ona Batlle and goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez.
With Arsenal looking to challenge for their first league title since 2019, getting off to a winning start was an important step.
Brighton, meanwhile, could take encouragement from the performance despite the result, with Kiko Seike and Fran Kirby both going close to finding an equaliser.
Palace marked their return with a debut winner
Crystal Palace enjoyed a dream return to the WSL after securing a 1-0 victory over Everton.
Lexi Lloyd-Smith was the player who made the difference, scoring on her first appearance for the club to give Palace all three points.
It was exactly the kind of start the newly promoted side would have wanted as they began life back in the top flight.
A debut goal and a clean sheet provided Palace with the perfect foundation, while Everton were left empty-handed after failing to find a way through.
The victory gave Palace an early boost as they looked to establish themselves in the WSL following their promotion back to the top flight.
Hanson announced herself at Tottenham
The striker scored twice as Spurs secured a 3-1 victory over West Ham.
Hanson's double gave Tottenham a strong start to the campaign and immediately made her one of the weekend's standout performers.
After arriving at the club with expectations surrounding her, she wasted little time showing what she could offer in front of goal.
For Tottenham, the victory provided an early boost and suggested they could be a side to watch as the season developed.
Liverpool made a statement against Charlton
Grace Fisk was at the heart of the result, scoring twice as Liverpool quickly took control.
Germany international Vivien Endemann also marked her Liverpool debut with a goal, while Cornelia Kapocs completed the scoring from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
It was a difficult introduction to the WSL for Charlton, who struggled to create opportunities throughout the match.
The promoted side failed to register a shot on target and managed only two efforts off target, underlining just how dominant Liverpool had been.
For Liverpool, however, a four-goal victory provided an early statement of intent and gave them plenty of confidence to take into the next round of fixtures.
An opening weekend full of new beginnings
The first weekend of the WSL season provided plenty of early storylines and gave fans an exciting glimpse of what could be ahead.
London City Lionesses made the perfect start to their ambitious new era, while Chelsea were forced to settle for a point after Aston Villa's late equaliser.
Manchester City showed why they remained the team to beat, with Shaw continuing her goalscoring form from last season.
Arsenal collected an important away win, Liverpool produced the most emphatic victory of the weekend and Tottenham enjoyed a standout performance from Hanson.
Elsewhere, Palace celebrated their return to the top flight with three points, giving the newly promoted sides plenty of reason for optimism.
With new managers, new signings and three promoted clubs all looking to make their mark, the opening weekend offered an early glimpse of another fiercely competitive WSL campaign.
