WSL 1: Manchester City Women 1-0 Birmingham City Ladies

England forward Toni Duggan struck in her return for Manchester City Women

A club-record crowd saw Manchester City Women overcome Birmingham City Ladies at the Academy Stadium.

In front of 2102 fans City took the lead when Jill Scott's cross found England forward Toni Duggan, who fired home from close range.

The hosts came close to a second when Nikita Parris found Isobel Christiansen inside the area but her effort lacked pace.

City's win was marred only by an ankle injury to Wales winger Natasha Harding.

Birmingham's Coral Haines clipped the crossbar with a direct free kick from the edge of the area in the first half, which proved to be the visitors only real chance.

Manchester's Jennifer Beattie saw her header cleared off the line just before half time break.

Manchester's new signing, midfielder Daphne Corboz, made her debut with seven minutes remaining, before Parris saw her one-on-one effort with Rebecca Spencer palmed wide.

Manchester City forward Toni Duggan:

"I wondered how I was going to get through the game earlier in the week, but I felt good today.

"It's always nice to get the win and obviously get the ball in the back of the net.

"After struggling to score at the World Cup it was a nice feeling.

"I'm still jet-lagged, but Man City have been great with us. We've got to get the balance right because we've got some big games to play in the second half of the season."

Manchester City: Bardsley, Bronze, Stokes, Houghton (c), Radtke, Beattie, Scott, Christiansen, Duggan, Harding (Johnston, 15; Corboz, 83), Parris

Subs not used: Brooks, Brougham, Lipman, McManus,

Bookings: Parris (45)

Birmingham City: Spencer, Sergeant, Carter, Mannion, Harrop, Ayisi (Potter, 71), Allen, Linnet (Westwood, 85), Moore (c), Lawley, Haines (Carney, 45)

Subs not used: Simpkins, Edwards, Windell, Torkildsen

Bookings: Harrop (17)

Attendance: 2102

Referee: Aaron Jackson