Sky Sports recapped Sunday’s Women's Super League fixtures, highlighting Chelsea’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village – the Blues’ first win of the campaign. Both clubs had failed to secure three points during the opening round, yet it was United, under new manager Eva Olid, who looked the most unsettled.
From the first whistle, Chelsea imposed their rhythm, delivering a lesson in attacking football that left the visitors scrambling for answers. The first half saw Chelsea in complete control. Early pressure paid off when Sjoeke Nusken found the back of the net with a composed finish, giving the home side an early lead. The momentum continued as Keira Walsh, operating from midfield, unleashed a beautifully struck drive from just outside the penalty area, doubling the tally and showcasing her knack for arriving late in the box.
By the interval, Chelsea were comfortably ahead, having dictated possession and created numerous chances, while United struggled to find any foothold. The second half did not deviate from the script.
Lauren James, later named player of the match, added her name to the scoresheet in the 61st minute, threading a precise run before slotting the ball past United’s keeper. Just four minutes later, Ellie Carpenter extended the lead with a clinical finish, demonstrating the depth of talent in the Chelsea roster. The final blow came in stoppage time when Lucy Bronze, a veteran presence, tapped in a rebound, sealing a 5-0 rout. United’s quest for their inaugural league win continues, with a demanding away fixture against Arsenal looming on Saturday.
The defeat underscores the difficulties Olid faces as she attempts to instill her philosophy in a side that has yet to find cohesion. In other WSL action, Manchester City remained the sole unbeaten side after a 4-1 triumph over Aston Villa. Villa had impressed in the opening round by drawing 1-1 with Chelsea, but their resilience crumbled within the first 14 minutes of the second match.
Akane Okuma, the Villa defender, misjudged a corner, allowing Jade Rose to head home the opening goal for City. Mary Fowler doubled the advantage shortly after with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
Villa managed to pull one back before halftime when debutant Amalie Vangsgaard scored, offering a glimmer of hope. The second half saw City reassert dominance. Khadija Bunny Shaw, displaying her predatory instincts, received the ball high up the pitch and finished with a deft dinked shot, restoring a two‑goal cushion.
Lauren Hemp, who celebrated her 100th goal involvement with an assist for Shaw, added a fourth in stoppage time; her effort deflected off Mathilde Harviken and flew into the far corner, cementing a clinical display orchestrated by manager Andrée Jeglertz. The win keeps the defending champions two points clear at the summit, the only team with a perfect start. Further down the table, newly promoted Crystal Palace held Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates.
France’s goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud‑Magnin was the standout performer, making several crucial saves as Arsenal launched a staggering 30 attempts, nine of which were on target. Despite the pressure, Palace’s defense held firm. The most promising chance fell to England striker Alessia Russo shortly before halftime; a superb left‑wing cross found her, but her shot sailed over a wide, unguarded net, leaving the visitors to settle for a point. Brighton staged a dramatic comeback against fellow newcomers Birmingham, turning a 2-2 stalemate into a late equaliser thanks to Kiko Seike’s goal in the dying minutes.
Birmingham had taken a 2-0 lead by the 60th minute through well‑taken finishes from Oceane Hurtre and Lily Crosthwaite. Brighton pressed relentlessly, and although goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley produced a series of impressive saves, defensive lapses in the final quarter proved costly. Olivia Garcia reacted quickest to a rebound, restoring Brighton’s hopes, but a miscommunication allowed Seike to slot the ball from a tight angle beneath Baggaley, securing a point for the Seagulls.
At Goodison Park, Charlton Athletic were reduced to nine players in a 1-0 loss to Everton. After a heavy 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on opening day, the Addicks showed improvement but ultimately succumbed to late pressure. Holly McNamara’s cross was inadvertently turned into her own net by Leighanne Robe after Charlton had already been reduced to ten following a straight red card for Ashleigh Neville’s high challenge on Ruby Mace. The situation worsened when Hawa Cissoko received two yellow cards in quick succession during stoppage time, leaving Charlton with just nine men at the final whistle.
The defeat leaves the newly promoted side second from bottom, narrowly ahead of Manchester United on goal difference. Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool drew 1-1 at the Totally Wicked Stadium despite Liverpool’s dominance. Tottenham took the lead just before half‑time when Signe Gaupset delivered a cross that deflected off Sam Kerr and looped over goalkeeper Khiara Keating.
Liverpool responded in the second half; Gareth Taylor’s side continued to press and equalised through Aurelie Csillag’s near‑post header just before the hour mark. Both teams created further chances, but the match ended in a stalemate, awarding each a point. Overall, the second weekend of WSL fixtures delivered a mixture of dominant performances, surprise comebacks, and hard‑earned draws, setting the stage for an increasingly competitive season as teams vie for position and momentum heading into the next round of matches.