Manchester City opened their Women's Super League title defence with a 3-1 win over newly promoted Birmingham, powered by two second-half headers from Khadija Shaw. The Jamaican striker, the WSL's reigning Golden Boot winner, picked up where she left off last season, underlining why City fought to secure her new contract over the summer. Elsewhere on the opening weekend, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Liverpool all began their campaigns with victories.

Shaw's brace, from corners delivered by Kerstin Caspari and debutant Beth Mead, followed Mary Fowler's opener, which was also City's 1,000th goal as a professional women's side; Birmingham replied late through Océane Hurtré. At Brighton, teenage debutant Lisa Baum scored a stunning solo goal to give Arsenal a 1-0 win, while Crystal Palace beat Everton 1-0 thanks to another debut goal, from Lexi Lloyd-Smith. Tottenham's new signing Kirsty Hanson scored twice in a 3-1 win over West Ham, and Liverpool were the day's biggest winners, thrashing promoted Charlton 4-0 away.