Man United finally broke their early-season drought in the Women's Super League by edging West Ham United 2-1 at Leigh Sports Village, earning their inaugural win of the 2026/27 season. Eva Olid's side, which had managed only a solitary point from their opening three fixtures, struck first within the opening ten minutes. A clever interchange saw Elisabeth Terland meet Anna Sandberg's lofted cross, heading the ball cleanly into the net without any challenge from the visitors. The goal could have been a comfortable 2-0 lead, but West Ham keeper Constance Picaud produced a spectacular reflex save, deflecting Hanna Lundkvis t's header over the bar just before the halftime whistle.
The United players emerged from the break with renewed determination, creating three clear chances in a rapid three‑minute spell. Andrea Medina forced a shot that rattled the cross‑bar, Jess Park saw her effort sail wide, and Terland again tested Picaud, who was forced to make another fingertip save. West Ham struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, only managing a shot on target after an hour of play when Estelle Cascarino broke through the midfield, unleashed a dipping drive, and forced Liverpool’s Phallon Tullis‑Joyce to tip the ball over the bar.
In the 72nd minute, United doubled their advantage when Medina, after receiving a perfectly timed pass from Jess Park, followed up a blocked attempt and slotted the ball home with composure. The goal seemed to cement a clean sheet for United, but Viviane Asseyi restored hope for the Hammers by converting a penalty after being brought down by Sandberg inside the box. The penalty was expertly placed into the lower left corner, ensuring West Ham left the match with a point and United with a hard‑earned three points. Across the Merseyside, Liverpool delivered a historic performance at Anfield, beating Everton 2-0 to claim their first WSL derby victory at the stadium.
Historically, Liverpool had struggled at Anfield in the league, losing eight of nine home matches, five of which were against Everton. The tide turned early when Beata Olsson rose above the defense to head in a looping ball in the fourth minute, giving Gareth Taylor's side an early lead. Liverpool continued to press, but Everton's midfield anchor Ruby Mace provided a resilient shield, blocking a goalbound strike from Natalia Ramos and clearing a dangerous header from Cornelia Kapocs off the line. Despite Mace’s heroics, Kapocs found the back of the net on her second attempt, striking a decisive goal just under five minutes from full‑time to seal a 2-0 win for Liverpool.
The victory not only broke a long‑standing home‑ground hoodoo but also signalled Liverpool’s intent to climb the league table. Further north, Tottenham Hotspur displayed a dominant second‑half display against Aston Villa, cruising to a 4-0 victory that kept them within striking distance of league leaders Manchester City. The win lifted Spurs to ten points from four games, just two points shy of the champions.
Villa, positioned 13th, had managed to keep the scores level during the first half, but the match opened up after Victoria Pelova opened the scoring in the 54th minute. Pelova, a 27‑year‑old midfielder, doubled Tottenham’s lead shortly thereafter with a curling finish. Caitlin Dijkstra added a back‑post header, and Cathinka Tandberg capitalised on the rebound to complete the scoring, ensuring the result was beyond Villa’s reach.
Meanwhile, newly promoted Birmingham City continued their search for a maiden WSL win. After a roller‑coaster encounter at St Andrew’s, the Blues salvaged a point in a 3‑3 thriller against Crystal Palace.
The match featured six goals and dramatic swings in momentum. Birmingham appeared poised for victory at the break, leading 2-1 thanks to a brace from Oceane Hurtre. Hurtre’s first goal arrived just 40 seconds into the game, but Palace equalised in the 30th minute after a goalkeeper error allowed Shanade Hopcroft’s free‑kick to slip in. Hurtre restored Birmingham’s lead three minutes later with a powerful strike from a tight angle.
The second half saw Palace mount a comeback, with Bethany England equalising in the 70th minute, followed by Lexi Lloyd‑Smith completing the turnaround with a composed one‑on‑one finish. However, Birmingham’s substitute Suzu Amano turned the tide in the 87th minute, heading in a deflected ball to secure a 3‑3 draw and Birmingham’s second point of the campaign. The match highlighted the competitive nature of the league, with both sides showing resilience and attacking intent. These four fixtures illustrate the evolving narrative of the WSL season: Manchester United breaking their early‑season slump, Liverpool ending a long‑standing home defeat streak, Tottenham maintaining pressure on the title race, and Birmingham fighting for their first win after promotion.
As the season progresses, each club will look to build on these performances, aiming for consistency, higher league positions, and, ultimately, the coveted championship title.