Barclays WSL
Manchester United continued their scintillating start to the Barclays Women’s Super League, beating newly
promoted London City Lionesses 5-1 in their first-ever home top flight match.
United, who also won 4-0 against Leicester on the opening day, sit atop the fledgling Barclays WSL table on
goal difference. The Lionesses’ historic day began disastrously, conceding a penalty within two minutes after Jana Fernandez fouled Melvine Malard. Captain Maya Le Tissier dispatched the spot kick emphatically. The hosts responded through set pieces, with Alanna Kennedy forcing a fine save from Phallon Tullis-Joyce, but United doubled their lead before the break when Jayde Riviere smashed home from a tight angle. Malard took centre stage after the restart, scoring twice in five minutes. Her first, a first time strike from Jess Park’s pass, survived a narrow offside call, before she headed in Celin Bizet’s cross. Nikita Parris pulled one back for the Lionesses against her former club, but Park sealed United’s victory with a stunning long range curler, leaving London City rooted to the bottom of the table.
Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the WSL campaign, overturning an early deficit to demolish West Ham United 5-1 on Friday night, a result which put them on top of the table until Manchester United’s win two days later. West Ham stunned the Gunners early when Shekiera Martinez’s cross was fumbled by goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, resulting in an own goal. Arsenal equalised midway through the first half as Frida Maanum slotted home from Beth Mead’s assist. Stina Blackstenius, introduced at half time, curled in a beauty to give Arsenal the lead, before Caitlin Foord marked her 100th WSL appearance with a header from Mariona Caldentey’s corner. Alessio Russo sealed the result with a ferocious top corner strike, followed by a late penalty after Olivia Smith was fouled.
Chelsea secured a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa, with Sam Kerr marking her return from a 20-month injury layoff with her 100th goal for the club. The Australian striker, sidelined since an ACL injury in January 2024, came off the bench to a rapturous reception from the travelling fans. The Blues endured a shaky first half, with Ebony Salmon’s stunning strike cancelling out Aggie Beever-Jones’ opener. However, Sonia Bompastor’s triple half time substitution, including debutant Alyssa Thompson, turned the tide. An own goal from Missy Bo Kearns, diverting Keira Walsh’s low shot, restored Chelsea’s lead, before Kerr latched onto a loose ball to slam home the third. The result means that Chelsea sit in third out of the four teams level on six points at the top.
Tottenham Hotspur meanwhile spoiled Everton’s historic first WSL match at Goodison Park, their new permanent home, with a commanding 2-0 victory. Olga Ahtinen opened the scoring in the 27th minute, linking up with debutant Cathinka Tandberg after dispossessing Rion Ishikawa to slot past Courtney Brosnan. Tandberg then stole the show four minutes after the break, lobbing Brosnan from 40 yards with a sublime strike. Despite a stronger second half, Everton failed to register a shot on target, leaving the 6,473-strong crowd disappointed as Tottenham confidently claimed the points.
Manchester City battled back from a goal down to secure a 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, handing new manager Andree Jeglertz his first WSL win. Fran Kirby gave Brighton an early lead, drilling home after Michelle Agyemang’s shot was parried by Khiara Keating. City squandered several first half chances, with Vivianne Miedema denied repeatedly by Chiamaka Nnadozie. The hosts roared back after the break, with Khadija Shaw equalising via a diving header in the 58th minute. Substitute Aoba Fujino then provided a pinpoint assist for Yui Hasegawa, who slotted home the winner with sixteen minutes remaining. City’s resilience ensured they bounced back from their opening day defeat to Chelsea.
Leicester City claimed their first WSL win of the season, defeating Liverpool 1-0 at the King Power Stadium despite playing the final 35 minutes with ten players. Interim manager Rick Passmoor’s side overcame a first half onslaught, with Liverpool’s Mia Enderby and Marie Hobinger wasting multiple chances. The game’s turning point came when Shannon O’Brien was sent off for a second yellow card, but Leicester capitalised immediately. Three minutes later, Janice Cayman’s pinpoint cross found Emily van Egmond, who headed home her first goal for the club. Liverpool, under new boss Gareth Taylor, rued their lack of cutting edge as Leicester climbed to seventh in the table.
Leading goalscorers:
4 - Melvine Malard (Manchester United);
3 - Ornella Vignola (Everton);
2 - Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea);
2 - Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal);
2 - Frida Maanum (Arsenal);
2 - Alessia Russo (Arsenal);
