Alessia Russo is making herself a target, pulling out wide on the right to receive the ball for Arsenal, who have had 78% of the ball so far without really threatening.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton are looking to respond immediately here.

First Veatriki Sarri tricks her way to the byline before putting a dangerous cross into the middle.

She then gets past her full-back again before earning a free kick for her side to the left of the box.

West Ham are really struggling to play out, Arsenal press high and keep penning them in their own defensive third. Get it sent!

Leicester boss Amandine Miquel called for patience from the fans ahead of this game, after the side's difficult start to the campaign.

Well, the hosts taking an 8th minute lead is certainly the perfect reward for their support.

This is the first I've seen of Palace in the WSL and I'm very impressed. They have been brilliant today and those changes at half time by Liverpool have done nothing to stem the tide.

All Palace so far.

Image source, Getty Images

It's another huge chance for Palace! They will be kicking themselves if they end the day heading down the M6 with any less than the three points.

Lily Woodham floats in a lovely cross from the left which Indiah-Paige Riley arrives on at the far post but she can't get her knee over the half-volley and slams it over.

Manchester City

More from City boss Gareth Taylor on Lauren Hemp: “She was everywhere today, she just gives such energy, when she has that mindset of doing everything with and without the ball, she's such a role model for every player we have and of course the girls managed the game really well.

"In the second half, the game changed. When we went 2-1 up they started to jump out, press us, spaces were more open that what we'd seen previously.”

“We are really happy because it continued our run. I have to say, it was hard for me to say in the press conference yesterday, this is an excellent start.”

Incidentally that chance from Honoka Hayashi was Everton's 38th shot on target this season without converting.

Oh how they would love to end their goal drought here this afternoon.

Arsenal are controlling all of the early play in the east London rain.

Image source, Reuters

First real chance of the game and it's gone to Everton.

Honoka Hayashi latches onto the ball on the edge of the box but her low drive is pounced upon by Janina Leitzig.

Sanny Rudravajhala
BBC Radio 5 Live at St Helens Stadium

A breathless first half that flew by as quickly as my spare team sheet, whipped away before I could get it on my clipboard at a blustery Langtree Park!

And being blown away was how Liverpool must have been feeling after a blistering first period from the newly promoted side. Katie Stengel's well-taken goal was no more than Palace deserved..

Liverpool have the quality to win this but their foothold was given to them by faffing at the back by Palace.

How much has that first 45 taken it out of Palace? Well we'll soon find out. We're perfectly poised here in St Helens.

Liverpool's first-half showing is put into perspective as coach Matt Beard makes a triple change at the break.

Captain Taylor Hinds, goalscorer Cornelia Kapocs and Mia Enderby have all been hooked, with Leanne Kiernan, Jenna Clark and Ceri Holland all on.

Postpublished at 15:01 BST 20 October 2024

15:01 BST 20 October 2024

West Ham 0-0 Arsenal

A filthy afternoon in Dagenham and straight away Arsenal defender Laia Codina is left in a bit of a heap after a strong challenge.

She'll be ok to continue but that's shaken her up.

We're just getting under way in the two 15:00 BST kick offs.

Leicester are hosting Everton while West Ham welcome London neighbours Arsenal.

Manchester City

Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor on BBC Two: "I’m always about the performance. I thought we were fantastic in so many ways. Even at half-time I said to the girls it was very good we just did not control one action from Villa. It was a great fightback in the second half. What I loved about it was the fact we stayed calm.

"We continued to play our game, the first half an hour of the second half was a half-pitch practice in our favour and we did some little tactical tweaks which helped a little bit and allowed Leila [Ouahabito] to get a little bit higher, it worked within 30 seconds. It worked straight away.

“Of course we have got to thank Lauren [Hemp] for a brilliant goal and a fantastic assist. That second goal was really special.”

Here come the players...

Arsenal

Image source, PA Media

This will be Arsenal’s first WSL match without manager Jonas Eidevall in charge since the final day of the 2020-21 season. Eidevall’s 70%-win ratio (49 wins in 70 games) is the fourth-best in WSL history among managers with 50+ games.

West Ham United

Image source, Getty Images

Rehanne Skinner has won just three of her last 35 Women’s Super League matches across stints with former club Spurs and current side West Ham (D8 L24).

Since the start of 2022-23, she’s lost more WSL games than any other manager (26).

Image source, Getty Images

Everton boss Brian Sorensen says that his players need to "trust the process" as they continue to search for their first WSL win of the season.

The Blues have yet to find the net this season, with a Camila Saez own goal against West Ham the only one to have fallen in their favour so far this term.

"It is going in the right direction, but it is something that we need to be better at as a team, converting our chances," said Sorensen.

"We are working on that and hopefully we can showcase this weekend that we are working on it in training."

The Blues lost their first two outings of the campaign but have since gone unbeaten in their last three in all competitions.