WSL roundup - gameweek 2

The WSL was back for game-week two this weekend, with all 12 clubs in action across six matches over the course of Saturday and Sunday.

Here's your summary of results...

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

Aston Villa continued a positive start to the new season when summer signing Remi Allen rescued a point against West Ham with a late equaliser in Saturday’s only WSL kick-off.

The Hammers, who were beaten by Brighton in their opening game a week ago, only needed eight minutes to take the lead when sharp Canadian forward Adriana Leon capitalised on an error.

West Ham had other chances to extend that lead but Villa held on and were rewarded for their resolve when Allen popped up in stoppage to time to make it 1-1.

Chelsea 4-0 Everton

Chelsea bounced back from an opening weekend defeat to Arsenal by thrashing Everton at Kingsmeadow, piling more misery on the Toffees after they also lost 4-0 to Manchester City.

Fran Kirby marked her first start of the season with the classy opening goal, before Sam Kerr, also starting for the first time in 2021/22, was gifted Chelsea’s second by a woeful Everton pass.

Kerr made it 3-0 with her head with just over 15 minutes to go, while Bethany England scored to put Chelsea 4-0 up almost immediately after coming off the bench.

Read more: Chelsea 4-0 Everton - full player ratings

Birmingham 0-5 Brighton

Brighton turned the screw on a poor Birmingham side to make it two wins in a row to start the new season, perhaps already proving that their top half finish in 2020/21 was no fluke.

The Seagulls were given the lead very early on by Victoria Williams and were able to double that advantage in first half stoppage time when Inessa Kaagman converted from the penalty spot.

Former Arsenal forward Danielle Carter got her first Brighton goal soon after half-time, while further goals came from Emma Koivisto and Kayleigh Green.

Leicester 1-3 Manchester United

Manchester United also maintained a perfect start to the season by beating newly promoted Leicester in front of nearly 4,500 fans at the King Power Stadium.

Ella Toone, who registered two assists against Reading last week, turned scorer this time when she netted from range in the first half. Maria Thorisdottir made it 2-0 early in the second half.

Ex-United defender Abbie McManus did pull one back for the Foxes, but Martha Thomas made sure of the win for the visitors. The only sour note was seeing Millie Turner leave the pitch on a stretcher.

Reading 0-4 Arsenal

Following their statement opening win over Chelsea, Arsenal continued to underline their intentions this season by ruthlessly demolishing Reading in a game that was over before half-time.

Reading lost usual goalkeeper Grace Maloney in the warm-up and went behind early when Jennifer Beattie headed in for the Gunners. Beth Mead doubled that lead on the half hour mark and then instantly turned provider for Vivianne Miedema to put them 3-0 up.

Mead and Miedema combined again in the second half when the Dutch striker made it 4-0.

Manchester City 1-2 Tottenham

Spurs earned a famous win late on Sunday night, becoming the first team to win at Man City in the WSL in over three years.

Lauren Hemp had given City a sixth minute lead after meeting an Alex Greenwood corner with a clever glancing header, and it was a surprise City didn't extend their lead in the first half after a series of good chances. Hemp nearly added a second, Georgia Stanway hit the post and Janine Beckie shot over from close range in first half added time.

But everything changed after the break. Rachel Williams' strike on the hour brought Spurs back into it, before Spurs scored a controversial winner minutes from time. Angela Addison's cross from the right side appeared to hit Rosella Ayane's hand, before deflecting off Steph Houghton onto the post, and in off the knee of goalkeeper Karima Benameur Taieb.

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