Laura Hunter, the Sky Sports columnist, breaks down the most compelling storylines emerging from the opening round of the Women's Super League, offering readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game today. The season’s first match for the London City Lionesses was staged under the floodlights in Bromley, where club owner Michele Kang rolled out a literal red carpet for the occasion.
The stadium was packed to capacity, and the Sky Sports cameras were on hand to capture a commanding performance that saw the Lionesses dispatch Manchester United with ease. Kang herself was among the throngs of supporters, underscoring the high‑profile nature of the event.
While the headline inevitably went to Alexia Putellas – the two‑time Ballon d’Or winner whose reputation guarantees media attention – the true game‑changers on the pitch were Delphine Cascarino and Danielle van de Donk. Neither player was part of the club’s summer transfer spree, yet both proved to be the most influential figures in the match, dictating tempo and creating the majority of the attacking chances.
London City delivered a performance that felt more cohesive and complete than many expected. In several respects the display surpassed the sum of its parts and even eclipsed the team’s overall showing from the previous season.
The Lionesses looked organized in defense, fluid in transition, and ruthless in the final third. Putellas, for her part, had a solid debut, though she did not produce the fireworks that fans have come to anticipate.
Adjusting to a new environment takes time, and in this case the adjustment may be a two‑way street: the team must learn to sync with her instincts, while she learns to operate within the collective rhythm that Eder Maestre has established. Historically, the Spanish star’s influence has been most potent when her teammates are attuned to her movements, and that appears to be the case here as well.
What is crystal clear is that Putellas will serve as the central pillar of Maestre’s tactical blueprint. Of the eight clear‑cut chances the Lionesses generated, Putellas finished two, while Cascarino accounted for half of the total with four. The hype surrounding the Spanish midfielder is likely to endure throughout the campaign, with her standards providing the backbone and soul of a squad that is still finding its identity.
On the surface, Maestre’s side seemed to gel quickly in their inaugural outing. The true test will come as they encounter tougher opposition in the weeks ahead. The opening match presented a perfect contrast: a rising London City side versus a Manchester United team that appears to be in a period of decline.
The Lionesses showed no hesitation in asserting their dominance. Kang’s ambitious project has already taken hold of Bromley, and as long as the results continue to match the investment, the Lionesses will dominate WSL conversations.
The allure of Putellas is undeniable, as is the impact of Cascarino, and even goalkeeper Mary Earps – who did not play on Friday but still attracted considerable fan interest – remains a major draw. Yet, buying star players is merely the first step; forging a consistently performing unit from those pieces proves far more challenging. In another headline‑making performance, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw reaffirmed her status as one of the league’s premier talents.
The Manchester City forward fired eleven shots, converting two of them as City triumphed over Birmingham. Both goals came from corner situations, each delivered from the left flank.
Shaw’s movement was nearly identical for the two finishes, but the second header required a more acute angle, showcasing her composure under pressure. City’s set‑piece proficiency was on full display. Last season they set a record by scoring fifteen goals from corners, a weapon they will likely continue to exploit as they defend their title. In fact, they were the only team to find the back of the net from a dead‑ball situation during the opening weekend, a testament to their rehearsed routines.
What stood out, however, was the lopsided nature of City’s open‑play attack. Almost every threatening move funneled through Lauren Hemp on the left wing.
Deploying a left‑side overload is not novel, but relying so heavily on a single outlet can become predictable. Hemp possesses blistering pace and pinpoint crossing ability, which explains why City’s centre‑backs often look to her when playing out from the back. Gracie Prior, for example, found Hemp eleven times against Birmingham, a pattern opponents quickly recognized. To evolve, City may need to use Hemp’s reputation to create space elsewhere.
By drawing defenders towards her, they can free up alternative channels for attack. Head coach Andree Jeglertz has spoken about the necessity for fresh, inventive ways to generate goals, emphasizing central rotations and the ball‑playing qualities of Japanese midfielder Yui Hasegawa.
Leveraging Hasegawa’s range of passing could add a new dimension to City’s build‑up. The potential return of Vivianne Miedema from injury will further broaden their options, though the exact timing remains uncertain. In the interim, City can experiment with varied patterns to become even more versatile.
Enhancing their adaptability could transform them from a very good side into an almost unbeatable one. Chelsea, meanwhile, continues to wrestle with the same issue that has dogged them since Sonia Bompastor took the helm: a lack of a reliable finisher. While Lauren James cannot be expected to shoulder the entire scoring burden, the team’s creative players are yearning for a striker who can consistently convert chances.
Chelsea’s style of play appears sound on paper. A statistical breakdown of their 1‑1 draw with Aston Villa reveals plentiful entries into the final third, with five clear‑cut opportunities created. Yet they squandered four of those chances. James has been tasked with performing the dual role of winger and striker, leading the team with four created chances for teammates and taking eleven shots herself.
Aggie Beever‑Jones posted the highest expected‑goals figure, while debutant goalkeeper Akane Okuma matched both of James’s attempts on target, though neither required extraordinary effort. A recurring problem for the Blues is the speed of their transitions into the box.
Slower movement allows retreating defenders to recover and block shots – Villa managed six such blocks – and goalkeeper Okuma was called upon to make a remarkable nine saves. Bompastor acknowledged the issue, stating, “We have to speed up the game.” Chelsea’s 35 shots represent a club record for a league match that did not result in a win.
Bompastor noted, “If you analyse the statistics, you would say it’s crazy that we didn’t win.” The squad’s attacking depth appears thin compared with the challenges they face. While they anticipate the return of forwards Melvine Malard and Mayra Ramírez, they need immediate firepower to compete. In summary, the opening week of the WSL has highlighted both promising performances and lingering concerns.
London City’s debut showcased the immediate impact of new signings like Cascarino and the steady integration of Putellas as a future focal point. Manchester City demonstrated set‑piece mastery but must diversify their open‑play attack.
Chelsea, despite creating opportunities, still lack the clinical edge required to turn chances into victories. As the season unfolds, these storylines will evolve, offering fans a compelling narrative of growth, adaptation, and competition across the league.