Let’s recap the start of the Super League season and discuss our standout moments 🍿  

Right, so... a LOT has happened. But that’s okay, we’re here to recap all the best goals, celebrations and everything in between.

We’re three rounds in and none other than Manchester City sit top of the tree with nine points out of nine, that’s how you start a title defence. Wins against both Birmingham sides and a last minute three points from Liverpool mean the champions maintain their perfect start.

Speaking of Birmingham City, for many they have been the standout performers out of the three newly promoted teams. They were dealt a tough hand with their opening fixtures but picking up a point vs Brighton and good performances despite losses to Man City and Chelsea show that the Blues won’t be beaten easily. They face Palace, Everton and a struggling Arsenal next which will be welcome fixtures as Amy Merrick’s side look to get their first three points on the board.

The opening weekend brought some huge upsets, most notably Aston Villa’s opening day draw away at Chelsea. Villa had a busy window this summer and it was great to see some of that fresh talent on display at Stamford Bridge. Japanese Keeper Akane Okuma had a stellar debut. Chelsea were relentless with 35 total shots and 9 on target however the Villans held firm gaining a hard fought point on the road.

Aston Villa have come away from their opening trio of games with two draws and one loss. Points from Chelsea and Brighton are encouraging but Villa registered just 2 shots against Brighton’s 25 in their last fixture. Natalia Arroyo’s side will have to become much more threatening in front of goal if they’re to secure their first win of the campaign. One bright spark however was fullback Lynn Wilm’s 89th minute goal on the South Coast where she converted directly from a corner kick, talk about pin-point accuracy!

Brighton had a huge shock one week before the campaign was due to begin as Dario Vidosic departed as manager. Arturo Ruiz was appointed his replacement and the Seagulls have struggled so far to find the form they established last season. Draws against Villa and Birmingham are welcome points on the board, however only converting once from the 25 shots against Villa is poor from Ruiz’s Albion. They head to London City Lionesses this weekend in search of their first win as Maestre’s also look to turn around their form.

Manchester United were the talk of the transfer window for all the wrong reasons this summer, and this as shown in their league results so far. Just one point picked up in three games is not the start that Eva Olid would’ve wanted to life at Old Trafford. A tough opening trio of London City, Chelsea and Arsenal was always going to be tough for a new manager but with just one point on the board so far, Eva Olid will need to turn things around fast. The Red Devils went in front vs Arsenal from Julia Zigiotti pouncing on Georgia Stanway’s poor pass but still couldn’t hold on until full time as Smilla Holmberg shattered United’s hopes of a first WSL win. However, Zigiotti take a bow for that outrageous knee slide at the Emirates, talk about rubbing it in.

Crystal Palace opened their account with a 1-0 win on the opening day over Everton and a draw away at Arsenal the following week. Beating Everton was a huge statement of intent that they’re ready to challenge teams around the middle of the WSL and we absolutely love that mentality from Jo Potter’s side. Before the Eagles’ 7-0 loss to Spurs, Palace keeper Pauline Peyraud Magnin had kept two clean sheets in her three first matches, a brilliant achievement for a newly promoted side. An early sending off for Fuka Tsunoda vs Tottenham however sealed Palace’s fate as they crumbled to a seven goal demolition on derby day. 

West Ham have had a turbulent start to the WSL season, losing week one vs Spurs, then beating London City to then losing most recently to Everton in the dying moments last weekend. The Hammers will need to find some stability in order to have a more comfortable campaign than they did last season which saw them fighting for survival. 

For talking point London City their opening match saw them beat Manchester United 2-1 in front of a historic sold out home crowd whilst the Red Devils have struggled to find an identity this season. However, round two saw Michelle Kang’s lionesses lose 2-1 away to West Ham. Alexia Putellas’ side losing a game at the Chigwell Construction Stadium definitely wasn’t on our bingo card before she made the switch from Barcelona. However, Eder Maestre’s team got back on track vs South London rivals Charlton securing a 4-1 win away from home with young forward Issy Goodwin netting twice at The Valley.

Liverpool have done very well to recover from a difficult end to last season’s campaign. Picking up four points from six has been a great start for Gareth Taylor’s side despite last week’s lost away to Manchester City. This is a Reds team that will look to build on a solid start to the season and we’re excited to see if Taylor can turn the tide around in Merseyside.

Crossing over to the Blue side of Liverpool, Everton have won their last two games and climb to fifth in the table, I bet that feels good Toffees fans! An opening day loss to Palace saw an investigation opened as the Eagles made four separate substitutions breaking the maximum of three allowed windows in the WSL. The officials involved were removed from week two’s fixtures as the WSL continues to conduct a full investigation. Everton went on to win their next two games beating Charlton and a last minute winner for Yuka Momiki against West Ham. 

Finally, Charlton are another side that have had a difficult start in the top flight so far. Most notably in their second game against Everton which saw two red cards and an own goal decide the result as they allowed the Toffees to walk away with all three points. Conceding  four to both Liverpool and London City is worrying knowing how important goal difference can be in that all important fight for survival. They face Manchester City at home this weekend so damage control should be the first thing on the Addicks’ mind as they welcome the reigning champions to The Valley.