The FA Women's Super League 2021-22 season kicked off with Manchester United's 2-0 home win against Reading on Friday. In the process, Ella Toone dished out two assists to defender Ona Batlle and forward Kirsty Hanson to give all three points to Mark Skinner's Manchester United.
WSL action resumed on Saturday, with Aston Villa taking down league debutants Leicester City 2-1, Tottenham keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win against Birmingham City and Manchester City's 4-0 thrashing against Everton at Goodison Park.
It was not until Sunday that FA WSL fans got what they wanted: The London rivalry match between Arsenal and Chelsea.
The Gunners held reigning WSL champions at zero points after a 3-2 win at Emirates Stadium on Matchday 1. Forwards Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead and Mana Iwabuchi led Arsenal's front line, with all three of them getting involved in the scoring. Manager Jonas Eidevall, who took over the job after Joe Montemurro's departure, enjoyed every second of it and said "Arsenal showed aspects of title intent" after the game.
As for manager Emma Hayes, she claims that the women's game is treated like "second-class citizens" without VAR. The Englishwoman was left unsatisfied with the loss, especially after watching Mead's game-winning goal that should have been called offsides.
Lastly, Brighton & Hove Albion defended Falmer Stadium from West Ham. The Seagulls defeated the Hammers 2-0 after West Ham's Hawa Cissoko was sent off in the first half.
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Tobin Heath joined Arsenal after spending a season at Manchester United.
Aston Villa's Remi Allen scored a match-winning goal in her club debut against Leicester City.
Leicester City forward Natasha Flint made history, scoring the club's first-ever FA WSL goal.
Spain's Vicky Losada and Jamaica's Khadija "Bunny" Shaw scored in their FA WSL debut with Manchester City against Everton on Saturday. Also, Australia's Haley Rasso dished out her first assist wearing Sky Blue on her birthday.
Mana Iwabuchi registered her first assist as a Gunner. The Japanese international assisted Beth Mead's game-winning second goal.
Free-kick goals galore: Aston Villa's Sarah Mayling and Manchester City's Steph Houghton scored world-class free kicks to help their teams win in Matchday 1.
Outside-back Ona Batlle scored her first goal in a Red Devils uniform against Reading.
