Summary

  • Reigning champions Chelsea win season opener against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge

  • Blues debutant Fishel headed in and James added second; Thomas pulled goal back after Musovic save

  • Arsenal suffer shock defeat against Liverpool in front of record WSL crowd

  • Wins for title challengers Man Utd and Man City

  • Brighton hold on to beat Everton and Leicester see off newly-promoted Bristol City

  1. goal

    GOAL Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester Unitedpublished at 14:20 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Rachel Williams

    Manchester United have surely won it!

    It's veteran striker Rachel Williams who comes to the rescue for Aston Villa. She came on as a second-half substitute and makes her mark, nodding a Nikita Parris cross - which took a deflection - into the ground which bounced past Daphne van Domselaar.

    A huge goal.

  2. Postpublished at 14:20 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    It definitely is, Emma.

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

    Emma: WSL is well and truly back!

  4. Postpublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Bristol City 0-0 Leicester City

    Janina Leitzig makes her first save of the afternoon after Bristol City's Ella Powell takes a speculative strike from distance. That was a comfortable stop for the Leicester keeper.

  5. INJURY TIMEpublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 1-1 Man Utd

    Eight minutes added on.

    Are there any twists left?

  6. Technical area actionpublished at 14:18 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

    Ben Miller
    BBC Sport at Emirates Stadium

    Matt Beard is getting plenty of steps in as he prowls his technical area in a training kit and running shoes, frequently bellowing instructions.

    The Liverpool boss does Mikel Arteta proud by raising both arms to the air when Grace Fisk goes down under a challenge near the halfway line. Then Beard offers his defender tactical advice after the visitors deal with another Arsenal cross.

  7. Postpublished at 14:18 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 1-1 Man Utd

    What a save! Katie Zelem strikes from the edge of the box this time and Daphne van Domselaar is at hand to pounce once again.

  8. Postpublished at 14:17 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 1-1 Man Utd

    Siobhan Chamberlain
    Ex-England and Man Utd goalkeeper on BBC Two

    Screams of frustration from Ella Toone and Marc Skinner there.

    I'm sure if this game ends 1-1 United will view it as two points dropped given the circumstances.

  9. Postpublished at 14:17 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Everton 0-2 Brighton

    Plenty of huff and puff from Everton but they are still lacking that clinical edge.

    Katrine Veje slides a ball into the box but it is easily intercepted by the Brighton defence.

  10. Postpublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

    Sumptuous first time ball from Lia Walti releases Maanum down the right, but her cross is blocked well for another corner.

    Liverpool are looking hard to break down early on here.

  11. Postpublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 1-1 Man Utd

    Nikita Parris winds up a shot around 20 yards from goal and it's a comfortable save for Daphne van Domselaar. Her effort is straight at the Villa keeper.

  12. Postpublished at 14:13 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Bristol City 0-0 Leicester City

    It remains level at Ashton Gate after the opening ten minutes. It's been relatively open but neither side has been able to register a shot on goal so far.

  13. Postpublished at 14:13 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

    Liverpool aren't confident on the ball, but they aren't helped by an excellent Arsenal press.

    Very organised, structured and well delivered.

  14. Postpublished at 14:12 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 1-1 Man Utd

    A lot has happened since this occurred - even if it's only been a very short space of time.

    Here's the tackle which resulted in Kirsty Hanson's sending off:

  15. 'Interesting finale ahead'published at 14:12 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 1-1 Man Utd

    Siobhan Chamberlain
    Ex-England and Man Utd goalkeeper on BBC Two

    It's going to be an interesting final few minutes.

    United having conceded the first goal have just managed to fight back, something they did so often last season, and now they have the World Cup golden boot winner to bring on for a debut.

    Miyazawa has ten minutes or so to make the difference.

  16. Postpublished at 14:11 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

    Caitlin Foord wins a fifth corner after driving in from the left. A lot of the good Gunners play is coming down that side.

  17. YELLOW CARDpublished at 14:11 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 1-1 Man Utd

    Adriana Leon receives a booking for dissent.

  18. Postpublished at 14:11 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Everton 0-2 Brighton

    Good start to the second half for Everton which is much-needed.

    A high corner comes into the box and it's a towering header from Martina Piemonte but it's an easy catch for Sophie Baggaley.

  19. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 14:10 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 1-1 Man Utd

    Hayley Ladd makes way for Hinata Miyazawa, who makes her Manchester United debut.

    It's not bad when you can bring on the World Cup's golden boot winner from the bench.

  20. 'Garcia to the rescue!'published at 14:09 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 1-1 Man Utd

    Siobhan Chamberlain
    Ex-England and Man Utd goalkeeper on BBC Two

    Lucia Garcia to the rescue again for United!

    Good ball into the box from Zelem from the corner, and it is Garcia who reacts first to smash the ball into the net.

    You can see how much that means to her.

    Garcia and Turner scream in delight after the former's equaliser.Image source, PA Media