Mary Fowler started the new English WSL season with a goal as champions Manchester City eased past newly promoted Birmingham City 3-1.
After a goalless first half, Fowler opened the scoring in the 49th minute with a low left-foot strike at the near post after a cross was semi cleared.
Fowler was busy on the right flank, playing 61 minutes, playing a part in a first-half chance where Alex Greenwood’s header was saved at point blank.
Ellie Carpenter got credited with the assist after laying off the pass for Lauren James’ wonderful individual effort in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
Carpenter played all 90 minutes, offering attacking threat down the right, including an angled 62nd minute shot that forced a save.
Steph Catley played a full game while Caitlin Foord got half an hour off the bench in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Brighton. Charlize Rule played 91 minutes for the Seagulls and Kyra Cooney-Cross went unused.
Alanna Kennedy put in a full shift in midfield alongside Alexia Putellas as London City Lionesses toppled Manchester United 2-1.
Holly McNamara made her WSL debut in Everton’s 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace. Clare Wheeler played 67 minutes.
👕 How we line up for our season opener!#COYB pic.twitter.com/GP22PwWVFv
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) September 6, 2026
Clare Hunt was absent for Tottenham’s 3-1 win over West Ham with a knee injury.
In WSL2, Alana Murphy scored for Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town, while Kaitlyn Torpey put in a full shift for Newcastle in a 2-0 win over Wolves.
Charli Grant scored her maiden goal for Malmo in her third appearance, netting a 94th minute equalizer in a 1-1 draw at BK Hacken in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan.
Grant, making her second straight start, played the full 90 and made the crucial impact late in stoppage time.
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Amy Sayer started and played 88 minutes, while Courtney Nevin was a 76th minute substitute for Malmo.
Aivi Luik was an unused sub for Hacken, while elsewhere Remy Siemsen and Isabel Gomez both put in full shifts for Rosengard in a 1-0 win.
In Italy’s Serie A Cup Women, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi scored in Sassuolo’s 2-0 win over Ternana. Alex Chidiac played a half in Como’s 2-1 win over Como 1907, while Wini Heatley was an unused sub for Roma.
In USA’s NWSL, Sam Kerr made her 50th NWSL regular season appearance but couldn’t help them avoid their 10-game unbeaten run ending with a 3-0 loss at Denver Summit.
Mackenzie Arnold played a full game for Portland Thorns in a 2-1 home loss to Washington Spirit.
In Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga, Leia Varley played 88 minutes for FC Nurnberg in a 3-3 draw, while Hayley Raso’s Eintracht Frankfurt are due to play on Monday.
