It has certainly been an impressive start to the season on a scoring front for Aggie Beever-Jones.
She is level at the top with Melvine Malard, who is surprisingly on the Man Utd bench tonight.
Image source, BBC SportMan Utd v Chelsea (19:30 BST)
Man Utd v Chelsea (19:30 BST)
Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter at Leigh Sports Village
I drove through some atrocious conditions from Manchester to get to Leigh tonight.
It was still chucking it down when I arrived and I was a bit concerned what conditions would be like.
But at the moment it is dry-ish and quite mild. The pitch should be pretty quick.
Image source, BBC SportMan Utd v Chelsea (19:30 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesThe last time these sides met was in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
Chelsea ran out 3-0 winners that day to wrap up an impressive domestic treble - adding to their WSL title and League Cup success.
Sandy Baltimore scored twice, while Catarina Macario got in on the act to seal a sensational debut campaign at the helm for Sonia Bompastor.
For fans hoping for revenge, Manchester United's league form against the six-time defending champions doesn't make for the best reading.
They have NEVER beaten the Blues in the WSL. In fact, the Red Devils have lost 10 of their 11 league meetings with Chelsea.
Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say
This is such a tough one to call! Stats suggest otherwise, but Utd are a different beast this season. Someone is going to drop points at least, so a chance for City or Arsenal to capitalise tomorrow.
Steve, Blackpool
Should be a great game. United are a different beast this season. It’s time for a change of champions.
Richard, Merseyside
Man Utd v Chelsea (19:30 BST)
Chelsea captain Millie Bright, speaking on BBC Three: "It's early on in the season but we've got off to the start we wanted to. It's about getting the wins, getting the points on the board but performance takes a bit of time, and the season comes with momentum and building those connections. I don't think any team finds its true form this early on.
"I can't really grumble at the girls so far. We're putting in the work, we're exactly in the position we want to be."
Man Utd v Chelsea (19:30 BST)
Manchester United defender Dominique Janssen, speaking on BBC Three: "We're very happy with the way we started this season, so we're happy going into tonight.
"We need to have a good day but we are playing really well this season so far, we take that into the game now. If we play the way we have the past few weeks, we have a chance."
Man Utd v Chelsea (19:30 BST)
Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC Three
I've been really impressed with Manchester United's start. They had Champions League qualification as well. They're in the league phase which is really exciting for them.
Tonight is their chance to take points off Chelsea which would be amazing for them.
Man Utd v Chelsea (19:30 BST)
Manchester United will wear black armbands and hold a minute's silence before tonight's game to pay tribute to the victims of the Manchester synagogue attack.
Manchester City will do the same when they host Arsenal in the WSL tomorrow.
Image source, Getty ImagesMan Utd v Chelsea (19:30 BST)
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesMan Utd v Chelsea (19:30 BST)
This may be after the fact if you are attending the game tonight, but if you are at the Progress with Unity Stadium I really hope you brought your coat.
Storm Amy has hit Manchester with a vengeance, with driving rain and wind hitting the north-west mercilessly all day.
The rain however has now eased off, and the pitch looks in perfectly good condition.
Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say
Surprised to see Chelsea abandon three at the back and revert to four, with two very offensive full-backs. A high scoring evening is in prospect.
Timothy
Image source, Getty ImagesMan Utd v Chelsea (19:30 BST)
BBC Three
You can watch live coverage of tonight's game on BBC Three or on this very website.
Tune in on TV, via iPlayer or by clicking the play button at the top of this page.
Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say
As always, we would love to hear your views on everything WSL related.
You can get in touch using the handy form at the top of this page.
Here's the WSL table going into the weekend.
Will it conclude with Manchester United on top, or Chelsea's lead extended?
Image source, BBC SportAll kick-off times BST
Tonight
Manchester United v Chelsea (19.30)
Tomorrow
Manchester City v Arsenal (12.00)
Sunday
Leicester v Everton (11.55)
London City Lionesses v Liverpool (11.55)
Tottenham v Brighton (11.55)
West Ham v Aston Villa (11.55)
Man Utd v Chelsea (19:30 BST)
Manchester United boss Marc Skinner makes one change from Sunday's 2-0 win against Liverpool on Sunday.
Melvine Malard makes way for Anna Sandberg, who returns to the squad after being sidelined by illness last weekend.
Man Utd XI: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Janssen, Rolfo; Sandberg, Miyazawa; Park, Toone, Zigiotti Olme; Terland.
Subs: Middleton-Patel, Rendell, Blundell, George, Awujo, Bizet Donnum, Naalsund, Malard, Williams.
Sonia Bompastor makes three swaps after Chelsea's commanding 4-1 win over West Ham.
Ellie Carpenter and Sandy Baltimore return to their full-back roles, replacing Veerle Buurman and club record signing Alyssa Thompson.
Catarina Macario comes in for Oriane Jean-Francois in the midfield, while Aggie Beever-Jones keeps her place up front as Sam Kerr remains on the bench.
Chelsea XI: Hampton; Carpenter, Bjorn, Bright, Baltimore; Walsh, Cuthbert, Kaptein; Rytting Kaneryd, Beever-Jones, Macario.
Subs: Peng, Reiten,Thompson, Buurman, Kerr, Hamano, Jean-Francois, Nusken, Potter.
Second versus first, two unbeaten sides, Friday night under the lights.
It doesn't get much bigger and better than this.
Welcome to tonight's coverage of Manchester United against Chelsea, in what is the first true blockbuster of this Women's Super League season.
Chelsea's Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Manchester United goalscorer Anna Sandberg battle for possession at Leigh Sports Village
At a glance
Chelsea drop first WSL points of the season
Man Utd remain unbeaten after five games
Wieke Kaptein gives defending champions early lead
Anna Sandberg levels for hosts with superb volley
Manchester United ended Chelsea's 100% start to the Women's Super League season by holding the defending champions to a draw in a thrilling encounter in atrocious conditions.
Marc Skinner's side had taken just a single point from their previous 11 league encounters with Chelsea, but thoroughly deserved their second after Sweden full-back Anna Sandberg's superb volley levelled Wieke Kaptein's early well-worked opener.
It was the first time the Blues had dropped a point since March and, in her 27th league game since replacing Emma Hayes, rarely has boss Sonia Bompastor come closer to her first defeat in domestic competition.
The French coach's tension showed when she bellowed at the fourth official after a decision went against her team in the United box, earning a yellow card from referee Abigail Byrne and derision from the home supporters in the stand behind her.
Not even the second-half introduction of superstar forward Sam Kerr could help Chelsea force an equaliser, despite spending the last few minutes camped around the home penalty area.
United might even have clinched victory themselves, but Ella Toone wasted chances either side of the interval, fellow England international Jess Park went close with a dipping volley and Fridolina Rolfo's deflected effort clipped the top of the bar.
The result meant both sides remain unbeaten before their first Champions League games in midweek, with second-placed United two points behind.
United boss Skinner can be justifiably proud of his side's performance against a side that have dominated them in past WSL meetings.
The hosts started on the front foot and refused to let their heads drop when they went behind in the ninth minute.
Sandberg's first United goal 11 minutes later was one to remember as Toone guided a clearance into her path and she kept the connection to a bouncing ball down brilliantly to smash it left-footed into the corner past Hannah Hampton.
In front of watching England coach Sarina Wiegman, midfielder Park - a deadline day signing from Manchester City - was outstanding throughout and kept Chelsea's defence on the back foot with her scheming runs.
Skinner's surprising decision to start without Melvine Malard paid off as eight-goal top scorer Elisabeth Terland battled against the Blues backline and tested Hampton early on before dragging another effort wide.
France forward Malard, who had four goals in her side's first four league games, came on after the break to keep up the pressure.
United, though, showed the defensive side to their game in the latter stages, with Phallon Tullis-Joyce making a fine save to deny Keira Walsh and Sandberg among those putting their bodies on the line to preserve a valuable point.
Given how rare it is for Chelsea to drop a point, there are unlikely to be too many recriminations for Bompastor and her team, despite a below-par display.
Substitute Alyssa Thompson was another to go close in a frantic finale, while Kerr got more valuable minutes as she continues her comeback from major knee surgery.
But the decision to choose Walsh ahead of the more energetic Maika Hamano in midfield allowed the home side to seize an initiative Chelsea could not wrestle back until the final stages.
The stats may show Chelsea had more shots (19-15) and on target (6-3), but it was United who had the greater purpose when they attacked.
Their goal for the opener was a gem though.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd started it with a ball into the penalty area to pick out Catarina Macario, who controlled neatly and found the supporting Kaptein with a forceful backheel.
The Netherlands international's control was instant, allowing her the half second she needed to apply a lovely finish.
It meant a point for Bompastor on a landmark 100th league game, where she has won 90 and only lost twice with Lyon and Chelsea.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Chelsea | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 13 |
|
2 Manchester United | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 11 |
|
3 Manchester City | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 9 |
|
4 Tottenham Hotspur | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
|
5 Arsenal | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 8 |
|
6 Brighton & Hove Albion | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
|
7 Everton | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 3 |
|
8 Leicester City | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 3 |
|
9 London City Lionesses | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 14 | -9 | 3 |
|
10 Aston Villa | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 2 |
|
11 Liverpool | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
|
12 West Ham United | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 14 | -12 | 0 |
|
Manager: Marc Skinner
Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1
Manager: Sonia Bompastor
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Marc Skinner
Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1
Manager: Sonia Bompastor
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Women's Super League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
