Chelsea

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Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, speaking to Sky Sports: "I didn't see it [the improvement and control] in the first half. We were lucky to go in 1-0 up but sometimes you've got to do that.

"The performance in the second half was what I expected from us: much more control, dominating all areas. But in the first half we overplayed. It was the second game - it looked like the second game of the season.

"We need to find a rhythm. We've had a cancelled game, a defeat last week. It was resilient from the team. I still think we can create much more and do more with the quality we have."

On the penalty: "If you're going to give it against Millie Bright last week, you've got to give it this week. It was a penalty."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Anfield

There is a real sense of optimism at Everton following the arrival of new boss Brian Sorensen.

I spoke to some of their season ticket holders before coming in and they were pleased with the performance against West Ham despite the narrow defeat and many feel they saw improvements from last season.

There is a bit of concern they could struggle today because Liverpool are in such good form but whatever the result, the fans hope to see more of Sorensen's style in the team.

Sorensen himself has been keen to build a connection with the supporters - even inviting them to a meeting at the Liver building offices during the summer.

The fans are keen to do their bit to help too and were around Anfield a few hours ago handing out their new season songbooks.

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• This is the first Merseyside derby in the Barclays WSL since November 2019, a 1-0 win for Everton at Anfield.
• Everton are looking to win consecutive Barclays Women’s Super League matches against Liverpool for the first time since a run of three between July 2011 and August 2012.
• Everton are winless in their last eight Barclays Women’s Super League games (D3 L5), losing their first match under new manager Brian Sørensen against West Ham last time out.
• Liverpool are looking to become the first ever newly promoted team to win their first two matches in a Barclays Women’s Super League campaign, following their win over Chelsea.
• Liverpool manager Matt Beard has lost his last three Barclays Women’s Super League matches against Everton, losing twice with West Ham and once with Bristol City. However, Beard only lost one of his five games against the Toffees in his first spell as Liverpool boss (W3 D1).

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Anfield

There was a big welcome for the Liverpool team bus earlier outside the Main Stand.

Fans were lining up along the street, too, holding up banners and flags.

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What a reception the players have received. Around 20 minutes to wait!

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Chelsea

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Player of the match Fran Kirby, talking to Sky Sports: "It is really nice [to get the win]. We knew we needed to improve from the first game. The first half probably wasn't our best performance either but we were better in the second half and we got our rewards.

"I said last week that it doesn't matter who scores the goals, but I'm glad to get the goal and continue on a high.

"Our overall patience and quality of passing [improved in the second half].

"In the first half we were quite sloppy, particularly around their box. We got more composure - getting the goal settled us down a bit. This team is all about scoring; we're not about possession football.

"We're going to sit down and analyse this game, see where we can improve and look forward to the game on Wednesday."

Pat Nevin
Former Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's a transitional period for Man City. I think we've seen enough to know that they are not miles away but you can't change that many players without a bit more time to adapt at the very top level.

It's the same old Chelsea. Even if they are not playing well, they don't lose out on many chances and don't lose many goals. And how they know how to score up in the other end.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Anfield

Matt Beard makes just one change to the Liverpool side who shocked Chelsea in their season opener.

Leanne Kiernan, sidelined for a few months with an ankle injury sustained in that game, is replaced by defender Megan Campbell.

Liverpool XI: Laws, Koivisto, Flaherty, Fahey, Matthews, Campbell, Kearns, Holland, Hinds, Lawley, Stengel.

Brian Sorenson makes three changes to the Everton side from their narrow defeat to West Ham on the opening weekend.

Captain Izzy Christiansen returns to the starting XI, alongside on-loan Manchester City winger Jess Park.

Defender Meg Finnigan replaces Elise Stenevik, while injured striker Aggie Beever-Jones and young Sweden midfielder Hanna Bennison drop out of the team.

Everton XI: Brosnan, Veje, Sevecke, Bjorn, George, Christiansen, Park, Graham, Finnigan, Galli, Snoeijs.

Karen Carney
Former England midfielder on Sky Sports

Emma Hayes will be thinking it is a result and a bounce back.

I thought Chelsea grew stronger and stronger, and that is what they do throughout the season.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Anfield

The Liverpool Supporters Club organised pre-match entertainment at Hotel Anfield and Taggy's - the two well-loved venues for regular Anfield matchgoers.

It was packed two hours before kick-off with local singers Jamie Webster and the Raggamuffins providing music.

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Kirby has been involved in 34 goals in her last 21 WSL starts for Chelsea, scoring 21 times and setting up a further 13.

She has been scored three times in her last four starts against City, as well as providing an assist.

Karen Carney
Former England midfielder on Sky Sports

The second half was much better from Chelsea and there was more control.

I was concerned by a few things in the first half. I wasn't particularly impressed by a couple of things that they did but it is a result-orientated business.

Karen Carney
Former England midfielder on Sky Sports

Manchester City are in a transition period. I thought they were good today but they need to grow into that transition period.

Jill Scott
Former England and Manchester City midfielder on Sky Sports

Man City started off well but Chelsea grew in confidence as the second half went on and overall they probably just edged it.

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport at Kingsmeadow

Manchester City were actually a lot better than I thought they were going to be.

They had a tough transfer window and there were fears this could be a difficult afternoon.

It was a solid performance from them in the first half - but not enough to match the defending champions in the second.

Kingsmeadow certainly enjoyed it.

Faye White
Ex-England captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

Man City played well in the first half. Kirby scoring in the 43rd minute was a sucker punch. It's almost like they never recovered from it.

They weren't able to get going in the second half. Chelsea just controlled the half a lot better.

You've seen more freedom and space in midfield for Chelsea - but generally, Man City are not far off.

I do feel they need another player in midfield to really boss that area and take control. It's hard to replace someone like Kiera Walsh.

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The reigning champions have their first win of the WSL season!

Spirited City may feel a little hard done by after having far more chances than Chelsea before Kirby slotted in to give her side the lead three minutes before the break.

That was the preface to a second period in which Chelsea became increasingly dominant, doubling their advantage through Mjelde's emphatic 78th-minute penalty.

Hayes shakes hands and offers a pat on the back to Taylor, whose side suffer City's fourth successive away defeat at Chelsea.

Chelsea make two more changes, Niamh Charles replacing Reiten and Eve Perisset coming on for Mjelde, whose spot kick would possibly still be travelling if it hadn't been stopped by the back of the net for Chelsea's second goal.

City win a free-kick in a promising position on the right, wasting the opportunity. The ball then almost drops for Hayley Raso in front of goal before Berger gratefully grabs it in the nick of time.

Another uncharacteristically nervy moment for Berger!

You wouldn't know it from the routinely poker-faced goalkeeper, but she almost fails to control a routine pass that dribbles under her foot and perilously close to the line.

Chelsea survive and are closing in on three points.