Sky Sports delivered a comprehensive recap of Sunday’s Women's Super League fixtures, highlighting Chelsea’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village – a win that finally broke the Blues’ winless streak at the start of the campaign. The match also underscored the difficult opening home test for United’s new manager, Eva Olid, who saw her side overwhelmed from the first whistle. From the kickoff, Chelsea imposed their rhythm, creating chances and pressing high up the pitch. The first half saw them comfortably in control, with Sjoeke Nusken opening the scoring after a well‑timed run into the box.
Her finish set the tone for what would become a dominant display. Shortly before the break, the ever‑reliable midfield maestro Keira Walsh added a second, curling a powerful strike from just outside the area that left United’s goalkeeper with no chance.
Chelsea entered the interval with a two‑goal cushion, and the second half only amplified their superiority. Lauren James, who would later be named player of the match, doubled the lead in the 61st minute with a composed finish after receiving a precise through‑ball. Just four minutes later, Ellie Carpenter, known for her tenacity on the flank, arrived late into the box to tap in a cross, making it 4‑0. The final goal came in stoppage time when veteran defender Lucy Bronze, who had been instrumental throughout the season, slotted home a rebound after a corner was partially cleared.
The 5‑0 scoreline reflected not only Chelsea’s attacking firepower but also United’s inability to find a foothold under Olid’s new tactical setup. Manchester United now faces a daunting task as they head into a crucial away fixture against Arsenal on Saturday, hoping to secure their first league win of the season. The defeat has added pressure on Olid, whose tenure began with a heavy loss at home, and the squad will need to regroup quickly. In other WSL action, Manchester City remained the sole unbeaten side after a convincing 4-1 triumph over Aston Villa.
Villa had earned a respectable 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the opening round, but their resilience crumbled early against the defending champions. Akane Okuma’s errant clearance from a corner allowed Jade Rose to tap in the opening goal for City within the first 14 minutes. Mary Fowler then doubled the lead with a thunderous shot 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 showcased her clinical finishing with a beautifully timed dink that slipped past the Villa keeper after winning the ball high up the pitch.
Lauren Hemp, who celebrated her 100th goal involvement of her career, provided the assist for Shaw’s strike and later added a fourth goal in stoppage time. Her shot deflected off Mathilde Harviken before finding the far corner, sealing a 4-1 victory that left City two points clear at the top of the table, the only team to maintain a perfect start. Further down the table, newly promoted Crystal Palace earned a hard‑fought 0-0 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates. France’s international goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud‑Magnin delivered an inspired performance, making several crucial saves to keep the visitors in the game despite Arsenal’s relentless attacking pressure.
The Gunners registered 30 attempts, nine of which were on target, but could not breach the Palace net. The most promising chance fell to England striker Alessia Russo, who missed a clear opportunity nine minutes before the interval, shooting wide after a well‑placed left‑wing cross. Brighton secured a dramatic 2-2 draw against fellow promoted side Birmingham thanks to a last‑minute goal from Kiko Seike. Birmingham had taken a 2-0 lead by the 60th minute, with Oceane Hurtre and Lily Crosthwaite each finding the back of the net.
The Seagulls applied sustained pressure, and although goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley produced a series of impressive saves to preserve the clean sheet, a lapse in the defensive line allowed Olivia Garcia to score a quick reply for Brighton. Seike’s decisive strike from a tight angle slipped under Baggaley in the dying moments, completing the comeback. Charlton Athletic endured a difficult night at Goodison Park, reduced to nine players after a series of disciplinary setbacks and ultimately losing 1-0 to Everton.
After a heavy 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in the opening weekend, the Addicks showed improvement against their Merseyside rivals but could not hold off late pressure. Holly McNamara’s cross was inadvertently turned into her own net by Leighanne Robe, sealing the defeat. The goal came after Charlton had already been reduced to ten men when Ashleigh Neville received a straight red for a high challenge on Ruby Mace. Further compounding their woes, Hawa Cissoko collected two yellow cards in quick succession during stoppage time, leaving the team with just nine players on the field at the final whistle.
The loss leaves newly promoted Charlton second from bottom, ahead of Manchester United only on goal difference. At the Totally Wicked Stadium, Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Tottenham Hotspur despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances. Tottenham took the lead just before halftime when Signe Gaupset’s cross from the left byline deflected off Sam Kerr and looped over Liverpool goalkeeper Khiara Keating. Liverpool responded in the second half, with Aurelie Csillag heading in a near‑post finish to level the score shortly before the hour mark.
Both sides continued to press for a winner, but the match ended in a stalemate, leaving Liverpool frustrated after a performance that should have yielded three points. Overall, the second round of WSL fixtures showcased the early-season form of title contenders, the challenges faced by newly promoted clubs, and the impact of managerial changes on team performance.
Chelsea’s comprehensive win, City’s continued dominance, and the tightly contested draws illustrate a league that is already offering a blend of excitement, tactical battles, and individual brilliance.