Champions Chelsea began their quest for a seventh successive Women’s Super League (WSL) title with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Friday.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 31st minute when new signing Ellie Carpenter surged up the right wing and squared for Aggie Beever-Jones to slot home.
City came close to levelling soon after, but Alex Greenwood’s thunderous free kick crashed against the crossbar with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton beaten. Chelsea doubled their lead midway through the second half as Wieke Kaptein released Maika Hamano, who finished calmly past Japan teammate Ayaka Yamashita in the 64th minute.
Defender Niamh Charles handed City a lifeline six minutes later when she turned the ball into her own net, setting up a tense finale. The visitors pressed hard but failed to find an equaliser and saw their night further marred by injuries to Greenwood and Lily Murphy late on.
Chelsea held firm to secure three points and a winning start to their title defence.
