Laura Hunter, a columnist for Sky Sports, breaks down the most compelling storylines emerging from the opening round of the Women's Super League, giving readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game today. Michele Kang rolled out a red carpet in Bromley for the London City Lionesses' season‑opening fixture under the floodlights, with Sky Sports cameras capturing a commanding victory over Manchester United.
The event attracted a sell‑out crowd, and Kang herself was among the fans cheering from the stands. All eyes inevitably fell on Alexia Putellas. As a two‑time Ballon d'Or winner, she commands headlines wherever she steps onto the pitch.
Yet, from a purely footballing perspective, the most influential performers on the night were Delphine Cascarino and Danielle van de Donk. Neither player was part of the club’s high‑profile summer recruitment, but both proved to be decisive forces on the field. London City delivered a well‑rounded display across most facets of the game, presenting a performance that felt more complete than the sum of its parts and more cohesive than many of the displays they managed last season. The team’s collective effort suggested a side that has begun to click, despite the influx of new faces.
Putellas had a solid, if not dazzling, debut. It will take time for her to settle into a new environment, and equally important will be the adjustment of her teammates to her style of play. Historically, the Spanish star’s influence grows as those around her learn to sync with her rhythm.
What is already evident is that she will sit at the heart of manager Eder Maestre’s tactical blueprint. Of the eight clear‑cut chances London City manufactured, Putellas finished two, while Cascarino accounted for half of the opportunities, directly contributing to four goals. The buzz surrounding the Spanish superstar is likely to endure throughout the campaign, with her standards providing the spine and soul for a group of newcomers eager to make their mark.
On the surface, Maestre’s side appeared to gel quickly. They will undoubtedly face sterner tests as the season progresses, but the opening night presented a perfect contrast: a rising London City side confronting a Manchester United team that seemed to be on a downward trajectory. London City never hesitated, launching attacks from the first whistle. Kang’s investment has transformed Bromley into a hub of WSL conversation, and that dialogue will continue as long as the Lionesses’ results reflect their ambition.
The draw of Putellas is undeniable, as is the allure of Cascarino and goalkeeper Mary Earps, who, despite not playing on Friday, remained a major attraction for fans. While acquiring top talent is the easy part, forging a consistently performing unit from those pieces proves far more challenging. In other news, it is only week one, yet Khadija "Bunny" Shaw has reaffirmed her status as one of the league’s premier forwards. Her eleven attempts produced two goals as Manchester City overcame Birmingham.
Both strikes were remarkably similar – headers from corner kicks delivered from the left – yet the second required a tighter angle, showcasing Shaw’s composure under pressure. City’s set‑piece prowess was on full display; they netted fifteen goals from corners last season, a record that will undoubtedly serve them as they defend their title.
They were the sole team to score from a set‑piece over the opening weekend, and last term they found the back of the net from dead‑ball situations in all but seven matches. What stood out, however, was the lopsided nature of City’s open‑play attack. The majority of chances funneled through Lauren Hemp on the left flank.
While loading the left wing is not a novel tactic, relying on it to such an extent may limit the team’s unpredictability. Hemp is a dynamic outlet with blistering pace and pinpoint crossing, prompting opposition centre‑backs to shift left when building from the back. Gracie Prior linked up with Hemp eleven times against Birmingham, signalling a pattern that opponents can anticipate.
To evolve, City might exploit this predictability by using Hemp’s threat to draw defenders and then shifting the point of attack elsewhere. Coach Andree Jeglertz has spoken about the need for fresh, inventive ways to create goals, emphasizing central rotations and the ball‑playing abilities of Yui Hasegawa. Leveraging Hasegawa’s expansive passing range could open new channels and keep opponents guessing.
The potential return of Vivianne Miedema from injury later in the season could further diversify City’s attacking arsenal. In the meantime, adding variety to their game plan could transform a very good side into an almost unbeatable one. Chelsea, meanwhile, faces the same recurring issue that plagued them at the start of the previous campaign: a shortage of a reliable finisher.
While Lauren James has shouldered much of the creative burden, expecting her to also be the primary goal scorer is unrealistic. In their 1‑1 draw with Aston Villa, Chelsea generated plenty of final‑third entries, creating five clear‑cut chances and firing off thirty‑five shots – a club record for a league match they did not win. Statistically, the Blues performed well: they produced the joint‑most chances for teammates (four) and James herself took the highest number of shots (eleven).
Aggie Beever‑Jones logged the highest expected‑goals figure, while debutant goalkeeper Akane Okuma matched both of James’s efforts on target, though neither was overly demanding. The lingering problem remains the speed with which Chelsea penetrate the box.
Slower movement allows defenders to recover and block shots, as evidenced by Villa’s six blocks and Okuma’s nine saves. Manager Sonia Bompastor acknowledged the need to accelerate play, noting that the volume of attempts should have translated into a win. Chelsea’s attacking roster appears thin relative to the challenges they face.
While they await the return of Melvine Malard and Mayra Ramírez, they need immediate firepower to compete with the league’s elite. Overall, the opening week of the WSL offered a mix of dominant performances, individual brilliance, and tactical lessons that will shape the narratives of the season ahead.