Manchester United have defended well so far to deny Arsenal a shot on target in the opening 30 minutes.

Stina Blackstenius, who scored the winner in the Gunners' Champions League final win over Barcelona in May, looks to break free down the right, but is crowded out by the home defence.

Image source, Getty Images

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Leigh Sports Village

Olivia Smith thought she had scored then and so did plenty of Arsenal fans to the right of their attacking goal. She has been lively so far in the first half.

Image source, Getty Images

Lindsay Johnson
Ex-Liverpool defender on Sports Extra 3

Fantastic from Olivia Smith, it just hits the crossbar. She hit it with venom.

It looked like an exceptional save from Phallon Tullis-Joyce with her fingertips and the referee has given a goal kick. Arsenal have been hard done by there.

Rachel Brown-Finnis
Former England goalkeeper on BBC One

Phenomenal save by Phallon Tullis-Joyce. If I'd have made one of those in my career, I'd have been delighted.

New WSL, new product, new standards.

Brilliant from United keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, acrobatically getting fingertips to a 20-yard central blaster from Olivia Smith, who is denied a great goal by a superb save with the ball pushed on to the crossbar and over.

Good handling from Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce in her first main action of the match, holding on the ball following a fierce low cross from Olivia Smith on the right flank.

It is a good, open game this one. Emily Fox is free on the right for Arsenal and fizzes in a cross from the right with home defender Hinata Miyazawa getting a vital foot to the ball.

Rachel Brown-Finnis
Former England goalkeeper on BBC One

That is one grateful Daphne van Domselaar.

It's a wonderful fizzed ball in, looking for Melvine Malard. It's too close to Van Domselaar who spills it. She lost her footing - there was a lot of rain yesterday - so she mishandles the ball.

She'll be grateful that it came straight at her.

A few wake-up calls for a sluggish Arsenal this afternoon.

Ian: Before the women's game went professional, I reported on Chelsea for the local paper. Despite the non-mainstream media, Matt was always generous with his time as manager, seeing it as another opportunity to publicise the game he loved. Taken far too soon. Rest in peace, Matt.

Arsenal's Daphne van Domselaar gets lucky after she spills a cross from the right. It drops at the feet of Melvine Malard and the goalkeeper recovers to block that effort and then a later strike from Celin Bizet.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Leigh Sports Village

Arsenal fans lead the way for an applause in the eighth minute in memory of Maddy Cusack, the former Sheffield United player who died two years ago.

Manchester United supporters, quickly realising its significance, join in. There will also be an applause in the 47th-minute for Matt Beard.

Stina Blackstenius gets to the byline for the Gunners, but United captain Maya le Tissier is in the right place to make a vital clearance from the following pullback.

Lindsay Johnson
Ex-Liverpool defender on Sports Extra 3

What Manchester United do so well out of possession is getting into their shape and getting organised quickly.

Get the ball out wide and Manchester United have tried to do that.

Jess Park should have played that earlier.

Manchester United have failed to win any of their last four WSL meetings with Arsenal (drawn two, lost two), since a 1-0 home win in April 2023 thanks to a goal from current Gunner Alessia Russo.

Jess Park produces a step over on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, but the Gunners have plenty of defenders back and are able to get the block in and clear their lines.

Image source, gett

It is a bright start from the hosts and Ella Toone twists and turns and tries to find a pass to Melvine Malard, only for it to be intercepted.

Rachel Brown-Finnis
Former England goalkeeper on BBC One

I'm going to miss his honesty, his effervescence, the way he stepped up and down the touchline barking his orders.

His passion was sincere from the very beginning, from when this was a part-time game - to where he's left it today.

An early chance for the hosts, but Melvine Malard's shot on goal inside the opening 60 seconds is parried by Daphne van Domselaar.

Steph Houghton
Former Manchester City captain on BBC One

Melvine Malard has been consistent in the first two games. Four goals in two games and she is getting herself in good positions.

That's why they have been in such good form this season so far.

We are under way at the Leigh Sports Village. If either side can win this one, they will end the day on top of the WSL table.