5 issues we discovered from the 2024/25 WSL's opening weekend

The 2024/25 WSL season received underway over the weekend and the return to motion didn’t disappoint.

Chelsea started their new period underneath supervisor Sonia Bompastor with a slim 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow on Friday night time. On Saturday, Manchester United beat West Ham 3-0 at Outdated Trafford, whereas Brighton brushed Everton apart with a 4-0 thrashing.

The attention catching recreation of the weekend between Arsenal and Manchester City on the Emirates led to a 2-2 draw, whereas Liverpool have been pegged again by Leicester Metropolis as they drew 1-1 on Sunday.

Lastly, Tottenham Hotspur began the season as they intend to go on with a snug 4-0 win over newly-promoted Crystal Palace. So, right here’s a take a look at 5 issues we discovered from the opening weekend.

Hayley Raso is again

The WSL is acquainted territory for Australia worldwide Hayley Raso as she spent three years in England with Everton and Manchester Metropolis between 2020 and 2023. After a season in Spain with Actual Madrid, she was out there on a free switch this summer season and Tottenham moved quick to get a deal over the road.

It took lower than 20 minutes for the 30-year-old to open her goalscoring account on her aggressive debut for Spurs. With three Palace gamers round her, she skipped by way of the opposition defence and rolled a low effort into the far nook.

Spurs went on to win the match 4-0 following additional objectives from Jess Naz, Drew Spence and Olga Ahtinen. It was a improbable begin to the season for Robert Vilahamn’s aspect, and he will likely be delighted with Raso’s return to the league.

Vivianne Miedema returns with a vengeance

All eyes have been on the Emirates on Sunday as Arsenal welcomed rivals Manchester Metropolis. It was the dream begin for Jonas Eidevall’s aspect as Frida Maanum put the hosts forward contained in the opening 10 minutes.

However, one of many largest transfers of the summer season was Vivianne Miedema’s transfer from Arsenal to Metropolis following the expiration of her contract with the Gunners. Subsequently, it was becoming it was the Netherlands worldwide who put the guests again on stage phrases earlier than half time.

There was no celebration from Miedema after her deflected effort struck the again of the web, however then once more, she’s by no means been one for celebrating her personal objectives.

Brighton’s summer season enterprise is paying off

Brighton have been arguably one of many surprises of the weekend following their 4-0 thrashing of Everton on Saturday. Few knew what to anticipate from the Seagulls this season following one other managerial change and an enormous overhaul of gamers through the summer season.

But, it was the dream begin for Dario Vidosic’s aspect, and new signing Kiko Seike wrote herself into the historical past books with a hat-trick on her WSL debut. One other summer season recruit, Fran Kirby, was additionally among the many objectives as she scored from the penalty spot within the second half.

Six of Brighton’s summer season signings have been concerned in Saturday’s motion, and the early indicators are optimistic. It’s anticipated the Seagulls will endure one other transitional yr following so many adjustments, but when issues click on early within the season, they may very well be the shock package deal this time period.

Grace Clinton is snug again in crimson

Grace Clinton was the breakout star of the 2023/24 marketing campaign throughout her mortgage spell with Tottenham, and it’s no shock the north London membership have been keen to maintain her. Nonetheless, Manchester United and Marc Skinner had different plans.

The 21-year-old is again with the Crimson Devils this season and is able to set up herself not simply within the United workforce, but additionally with England forward of the European Championship subsequent summer season. It’s testomony to her improvement during the last 12 months, but it surely was no shock she received herself on the scoresheet within the 3-0 victory towards the Hammers.

New managers make their mark

Vidosic wasn’t the one supervisor to choose up factors of their opening WSL recreation, as Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea additionally recorded a win. Elsewhere, Amandine Miquel’s Leicester Metropolis held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at St Helens, and have been stern opposition for Matt Beard’s aspect.

Robert de Pauw’s Aston Villa might not have secured any factors, however they have been inches away from inflicting a gap day upset towards Chelsea. They definitely made Bompastor’s aspect work for all three factors on Friday night time, and De Pauw will likely be happy with how his workforce took the sport to their opponent, significantly within the second half.

It’s early days and the WSL isn’t a straightforward league for any new supervisor to settle into, however so far as performances go, it was a optimistic begin for the newcomers.

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