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 first win of the season for the Blues. Both sides had failed to secure points during the opening weekend, yet it was United, under new manager Eva Olid, who looked the most unsettled. From the first whistle Chelsea imposed their will, controlling possession and creating chances, while United struggled to find rhythm in Olid’s inaugural home match. The first half saw Chelsea cruising after two well‑crafted goals.
Sjoeke Nusken opened the scoring with a composed finish inside the box, and shortly after, the ever‑reliable Keira Walsh doubled the lead with a beautifully struck drive from the edge of the area that left the goalkeeper with no chance. By the break the visitors were already five goals clear, a testament to their clinical edge and United’s defensive frailties. The second half offered no respite for Manchester United. Lauren James, named player of the match, added a third goal in the 61st minute, weaving past defenders before slotting home.
Ellie Carpenter followed just four minutes later, capitalising on a quick counter‑attack and firing a low shot into the net. The final nail in the coffin came in stoppage time when Lucy Bronze, the experienced England defender, rounded off the scoring spree with a precise finish from close range.
The result left United still searching for their first league win, with a daunting away clash against Arsenal looming on Saturday. Elsewhere in the league, Manchester City remained the only side with a perfect record after a 4-1 triumph over Aston Villa.
Villa had impressed in the opening round with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea, but their resolve crumbled early against the defending champions. Akane Okuma’s errant clearance from a corner allowed Jade Rose to head the opening goal for City. Mary Fowler then doubled the lead with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
Villa fought back before halftime when Amalie Vangsgaard, on her debut, netted a consolation goal, halving the deficit. In the second half, Villa pressed for an equaliser, striking the post before Khadija Bunny Shaw restored their hopes with a deft dinked finish after winning the ball high up the pitch. Lauren Hemp, who celebrated her 100th goal involvement with an assist for Shaw, added a fourth goal in stoppage time.
Her shot deflected off Mathilde Harviken and flew into the far corner, sealing a comprehensive win for City. The result left the champions two points clear at the summit, the sole team to maintain an unbeaten start. Further down the table, newly promoted Crystal Palace held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates, thanks largely to an inspired performance from French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud‑Magnin.
Arsenal dominated possession, registering 30 attempts with nine on target, but were repeatedly denied by Peyraud‑Magnin’s sharp reflexes. The most notable chance fell to England striker Alessia Russo, who missed a golden‑chance nine minutes before the break, firing wide after a perfect left‑wing cross.
Brighton staged a dramatic comeback against fellow newcomers Birmingham, salvaging a 2-2 draw with a last‑minute strike from Kiko Seike. Birmingham had taken a 2-0 lead by the 60th minute through goals from Oceane Hurtre and Lily Crosthwaite. Brighton applied relentless pressure, and although goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley produced several key saves, defensive lapses allowed Birmingham to pull one back.
In the dying minutes Olivia Garcia capitalised on a rebound, and Seike’s tight‑angle finish slipped under Baggaley to secure the equaliser. At Goodison Park, Charlton suffered a 1-0 defeat to Everton after being reduced to nine players. After a heavy 4-0 loss to Liverpool on opening day, Charlton showed improvement but ultimately succumbed to late pressure. Holly McNamara’s cross was inadvertently turned into her own net by Leighanne Robe, giving Everton the winner.
The goal came after Charlton had already been reduced to ten following a straight red card for Ashleigh Neville’s high challenge on Ruby Mace. Further disciplinary issues saw Hawa Cissoko receive two yellows in stoppage time, leaving Charlton with just nine men at the final whistle. The defeat leaves the promoted side second from bottom, ahead of Manchester United only on goal difference.
In London, Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Tottenham Hotspur despite dominating possession at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Tottenham took the lead just before half‑time when Signe Gaupset’s cross deflected off Sam Kerr and looped over goalkeeper Khiara Keating. Liverpool responded in the second half, with Aurelie Csillag heading home a near‑post delivery to level the score shortly before the hour mark.
Both teams pushed for a winner, but the match ended in a stalemate. Overall, the second round of WSL action delivered a mix of dominant performances, hard‑earned draws, and disciplinary drama, setting the stage for an increasingly competitive season as teams vie for top‑four positions and fight to avoid relegation.