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. Postpublished at 12:59 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Everton v Brighton (13:00 BST)

    As with every WSL game this weekend, there will be a minute's silence to remember former Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack.

    Players hold a minute's silence for Maddy Cusack.Image source, Getty Images
  2. Postpublished at 12:59 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Everton v Brighton (13:00 BST)

    The teams are out and nearly ready to go at Walton Hall Park.

    Walton Hall Park stands ready for the match.Image source, Getty Images
  3. YELLOW CARDpublished at 12:58 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

    Rachel Corsie provides a smirk as she's handed a booking by Rebecca Welch, with the Scotland midfielder opting to take down Geyse to prevent the Brazilian finding a path towards goal.

  4. 'United starting to dominate'published at 12:56 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

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

    Manchester United are really growing into this game now.

    Geyse has been key to all of the positive play going forward, driving with the ball towards the Villa goal.

    They are starting to show a little bit of dominance now.

  5. Postpublished at 12:55 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

    That could've been a lovely strike.

    Leah Galton sizes up the Aston Villa goal from the edge of the box and unleashes a curling effort bit it spins away from the post.

    Galton tries to run away from Hanson.Image source, Getty Images
  6. Postpublished at 12:54 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

    The Aston Villa fans were excited then as Lucy Staniforth found Rachel Daly, last season's golden boot winner, with a ball over the top, but Daly's run was just too late and the flag is up.

  7. Postpublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

    Aston Villa try to find a way out of their own half but it just isn't clicking. Kirsty Hanson has the ball on the touchline and looks to dribble forwards but is quickly closed down and has no teammates to offload the ball to.

  8. Postpublished at 12:51 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Villa Park

    Geyse is going to be a star in the WSL, I genuinely believe that. She has been a constant threat so far. Villa, and Dan Turner on that left-hand side in particular, are really struggling with her pace.

    Carla Ward immediately turned to her bench and her staff to discuss, hopefully a solution to deal with it, after that last chance from Geyse.

    Geyse dribbles away from a Villa defender.Image source, Getty Images
  9. Postpublished at 12:50 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

    United build patiently with Ella Toone searching for a gap on the edge of the box.

    She picks out Gabby George who launches a cross into the area but it's too high for Lucia Garcia.

  10. Postpublished at 12:49 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

    43% of the action took place in the Aston Villa third in the opening 15 minutes.

  11. Postpublished at 12:47 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Villa Park

    Rachel Daly was unhappy with her team-mates Laura Blindkilde Brown and Alisha Lehmann a moment ago.

    Daly was pressing high up and put Mary Earps and Maya Le Tissier under pressure but there was no support for her.

    That chance for United then came from Villa losing possession high up. They don't seem to have sorted out the press right.

  12. 'Save gets better every time you see it'published at 12:46 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

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

    Now that was brilliant.

    Brilliant ball in behind and break from Geyse, she took the strike on and forced a fantastic save from van Domselaar.

    The save gets better every time you see it.

  13. Postpublished at 12:45 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

    Big save!

    Geyse is in for Manchester United down the right-hand side but Daphne van Domselaar reacts quickly to get down and send it past the far post with her fingertips.

  14. YELLOW CARDpublished at 12:45 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

    It's Aston Villa's Lucy Parker who receives the first booking of the WSL after lunging into Katie Zelem.

  15. 'Ward will be happy with Villa start'published at 12:43 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

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

    I'm sure Carla Ward will be pleased with the start that Villa have made. Looking very organised defensively, no gaps for United to exploit.

    Although Villa did have that three versus two opportunity earlier. They will be looking to capitalise more on those moments.

    Carla Ward watches on while standing in front of the dugout.Image source, Reuters
  16. Postpublished at 12:42 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

    Millie Turner launches a long ball over the heads of the Aston Villa defence but Lucia Garcia can't quite run onto it.

  17. Parker's versatility gives Villa optionspublished at 12:41 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Villa Park

    I wondered where Villa might use summer signing Lucy Parker.

    She is a defender by trade and that's where Sarina Wiegman sees her with England.

    But Parker was used effectively as a midfielder for West Ham and she has started in that position here today.

    She's done well so far to minimise United's threat through the centre.

  18. Team news - Debuts in goal for both sidespublished at 12:40 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Everton v Brighton (13:00 BST)

    Brian Sorensen's Everton defence will look somewhat different this season without Gabby George, who made the move to Manchester United this season.

    Emily Ramsey moved the other way and she starts in goal for the Toffees.

    Meanwhile, there's also debuts for Karoline Olesen, Martina Piemonte and Emma Bissell.

    England forward Toni Duggan is on the bench after having given birth to her daughter in March.

    Everton XI: Ramsey, Hope, Stenevik, Bjorn, Veje, Galli, Finnigan, Olesen, Bennison, Piemonte, Sorensen

    Subs: Brosnan, Wheeler, Vanhaevermaet, Duggan, Bissell, Payne, Wilding, Aherne.

    Everton starting XIImage source, BBC Sport

    Brighton manager Melissa Phillips has another ex-United keeper starting with Sophie Baggaley, who joined the Seagulls on deadline day.

    In defence, Brighton have new signings Maria Thorisdottir - also signed from Manchester United - and new captain Vicky Losada, who returns to the WSL after a spell with Roma.

    Jorelyn Carabali, who impressed for Colombia at the World Cup, starts on the bench.

    Brighton XI: Baggaley, Thorisdottir, Bergsvand, Losada, Pattinson, Terland, Olme, Kullberg, Robinson, Geum-Min, Bremer.

    Subs: Evrard, Sarri, Carabali, Hawkesby, Pinto, Symonds, Rule, Startup.

    Brighton XIImage source, BBC Sport
  19. Postpublished at 12:40 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    A reminder that Everton take on Brighton in 20 minutes' time.

    Let's take a look at the lineups for that one.

  20. Postpublished at 12:40 British Summer Time 1 October 2023

    Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd

    Katie Zelem sends a dangerous delivery into the penalty area but Gabby George can't direct her header on target.