Emma Sanders
BBC Sport

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I thought West Ham would be near the bottom last season but a really strong start under boss Paul Konchesky helped them massively and they did enough to avoid relegation.

However, another change in manager, with Rehanne Skinner arriving in August, meant they could not do much in the transfer window and the squad looks worryingly thin.

They will need to recruit well in January, but I fear they could struggle before then.

• Read the rest of Emma Sanders' Women's Super League predictions here

Manchester United

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner speaking to BBC Two: "I thought we were better than I had guessed we might be. To come to Villa Park on the first game of the season against a Villa side looking to progress, to dominate in the way we did, it is not easy to come and do that. So credit to every player and member of staff.

"Yes there was a bit of rustiness in parts but we came here performed well and got the win. Some tiredness, we have ventured into the market and signed players from further afield so they travel more in the breaks, Geyse, Hini [Miyazawa] for example, which is going to have a toll.

I thought we did well balancing that but that is something we need to focus on. There are always going to be patches of tiredness, so for the first five or six games there will be ins and out to balance that. But our depth has allowed us to go into the second half and win.

On matchwinner Rachel Williams: " it is a skill she has that no tmany do, to be put in the box and be deadly. We knew van Domselaar would come across to cover quickly so we focused on putting the ball back across her - it was one of the details Rachel took on board and executed for the goal.

On Le Tissier's challenge on Salmon: "Without seeing it it is hard to say. Until we get VAR into the game it is hard to know. If the ref doesn't see it though, then play on."

• West Ham United have lost eight of their nine WSL games against Manchester City, winning the other 2-0 in October 2021.
• Man City have a 100% away record at West Ham in the WSL, winning all four such games against the Hammers.
• New West Ham United manager Rehanne Skinner lost her final nine Women’s Super League matches as Spurs manager last season. Only two managers have ever lost 10+ matches in a row in the competition: Emma Coates with Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2016 (12) and Jamie Sherwood with Yeovil Town in 2017-18 (12).
• Viviane Asseyi was involved in more WSL goals than any other West Ham player last season (nine – six goals, three assists). However, those nine goal involvements all came within her first 15 appearances, failing to score or assist in her last seven games.

West Ham begin their 2023-24 WSL campaign under new boss Rehanne Skinner.

The former Tottenham boss starts new signing Riko Ueki, who impressed at this summer's World Cup for Japan.

West Ham XI: Arnold, Cissoko, Smith, Cooke, Shimizu, Filis, Hayashi, Stringer, Asseyi, Evans, Ueki.

Subs: Walsh, Atkinson, Harriers, Ziu, Denton, Ademiluyi, Flannery.

Image source, BBC Sport

Gareth Taylor's only summer signing, Jill Roord, starts for Manchester City this afternoon.

Jess Park returns from her season-long loan at Everton and is named on the bench.

Man City XI: Keating, Ouahabi, Greenwood, Kennedy, Aleixandri, Castellanos, Hasegawa, Roord, Hemp, Kelly, Fowler.

Subs: Roebuck, Houghton, Coombs, Angeldahl, Morgan, Park, Casparij, Mace, Blackstad.

Image source, BBC Sport

Four added minutes.

It's level at the break - and that feels fair.

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Sam Tierney looks to go one better for Leicester as she ends up in a promising position after some nice interplay with Missy Goodwin, but her shot is stopped by Fran Bentley at the near post.

Martina Piemonte is off and Toni Duggan makes her WSL return following the birth of her daughter.

She is greeted by huge cheers from the home fans.

It has been an enjoyable half.

Rachael Laws has made three good saves to deny Arsenal, while Liverpool have threatened on the break.

So. Many. Corners.

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Three minutes are added on here.

Can Bristol City hold onto their lead? They're holding Leicester back for the most part but the visitors are creating chances.

Two added minutes here. Can Arsenal force the issue before the break?

Everton make a change.

Clare Wheeler comes on for Aurora Galli.

Katie McCabe has just picked up a yellow card.

Bristol City deal with another threat at the back as a late challenge is required to stop Missy Goodwin breaking through the hosts' defence.

Close! Heather Payne skews her shot wide under pressure from Guro Bergsvand as she looked to get a debut goal for Everton.

Lovely take down and shot from distance by Kim Little.

For the third time in the half, Laws is equal when called upon.

Want more on Manchester United's comeback triumph over Aston Villa in their opening Women's Super League game?

BBC Sport's Emma Sanders was at Villa Park and you can read her report by clicking here.

Image source, PA Media

Brighton are on the charge, Pauline Bremer threads a ball through to debutant Tatiana Pinto whose shot was expertly blocked by Emily Ramsey.

Five minutes plus stoppages left here in the first half.

Liverpool have to be the happier team; they've grown into it and defended well.

Arsenal, for all their possession, are yet to carve out a chance from open play.

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