The new Women’s Super League (WSL) season kicked off on Sunday with 10 of the 11 teams in action. West Ham missed out with their first WSL campaign beginning on September 19 instead.
Arsenal got off to an excellent start with a 5-0 thrashing of Liverpool. Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema ran the show as she contributed to each of the five goals. Miedema scored a hat-trick for the Gunners, the first scored by an Arsenal player in the WSL since Kelly Smith in September 2014, and set up Lisa Evans and Kim Little. Arsenal ran riot in the first half, scoring four goals. Liverpool improved during the second 45 minutes but they didn’t pose much of a threat.
Chelsea and Manchester City, who finished first and second respectively last season, faced each other in this season’s opener. Both teams cancelled each other out as the match ended goalless. Chelsea were the more dominant side with Ramona Bachmann, Beth England Maren Mjelde having chances to break the deadlock but Karen Bardsley made the saves to keep the scores level. Nikita Parris fired wide and captain Steph Houghton had two headers off target for Man City.
Birmingham City secured their first three points of the season with a 1-0 win over Everton. The match was decided after just 42 seconds when Charlie Wellings latched onto a pass from Ellen White, top scorer in the WSL last season, burst into the box and slotted past Everton keeper Kirstie Levell. Birmingham were in control and had chances to double the lead through Hayley Ladd and Ellen White but the Toffees held firm.
Reading hit the ground running with an impressive 4-0 win over Yeovil Town. Gemma Davison gave them the lead after five minutes before Fara Williams made it 2-0 to the Royals. Second half goals from Lauren Bruton and Remi Allen completed the victory. Yeovil scored just twice last season and didn’t do enough to get on the scoresheet against Reading.
Newcomers Brighton suffered defeat at the hands of Bristol City. Lucy Graham scored in the second half with a dipping long-range strike to give Bristol a 1-0 win. Kaleigh Green had Brighton’s best chance of the match. Her close-range attempt was saved by Bristol keeper Baggaley. Brighton gave a good account of themselves and were unlucky not to get something from the game but Bristol hung on to claim all three points.
Week 1 Results:
Arsenal 5-0 Liverpool
Birmingham City 1-0 Everton
Brighton 0-1 Bristol City
Chelsea 0-0 Manchester City
Reading 4-0 Yeovil Town