At Arsenal, Liverpool surprised everyone by winning 1-0 in front of a record-breaking WSL crowd.
In front of 54,115 spectators, Katie McCabe led Arsenal onto the field at the Emirates Stadium for the first game of the year. Miri Taylor’s goal early in the second half was the game-winner.
In the 48th minute, Taylor buried a cross from Missy Bo Kearns, shocking the Gunners’ home crowd.
The Reds withstood a lot of pressure from Arsenal, but Jonas Eidevall’s team, which was eliminated from the Champions League qualifying round last month, was unable to get back into the game.
At Villa Park, when the hosts had Kirsty Hanson sent off, Manchester United overcame a deficit to defeat Aston Villa 2-1 thanks to a goal from replacement Rachel Williams in stoppage time.
In the 74th minute, Scotland winger Hanson received a straight red card for a high challenge on United midfielder Hayley Ladd.
However, Villa swiftly took the lead through Rachel Daly of England, and Lucia Garcia quickly brought United back to even.
When it appeared that both teams would have to settle for a draw, Williams headed in a deflected cross from Nikita Parris to give United a thrilling triumph.
At Ashton Gate, Leicester defeated newly promoted Bristol City 4-2 after coming from behind.
Carrie Jones’ goal in the 33rd minute gave the Robins, who had been out of the top division for two seasons, the lead.
Aimee Palmer, a recent addition to Leicester who was playing against her former team, levelled the score for the visitors late in the first half.
After the break, Leicester gained control after Shannon O’Brien gave them the lead and Lena Petermann of Germany, making her debut, headed in a third goal in the 52nd.
With seven minutes remaining, fellow rookie Jutta Rantala extended Leicester’s lead before Amalie Thestrup converted a penalty kick for her first goal for the Robins.
Elisabeth Terland scored twice in the opening period as Brighton defeated Everton 2-0 to start their WSL season.
The visitors took the lead in the third minute thanks to a goal from Norway’s Terland, who later scored a second after being set up by Katie Robinson.
Just after the hour mark, Everton captain Megan Finnigan cut the gap, but the home team was unable to score an equaliser.
Jill Roord scored on her debut as Jill City defeated West Ham 2-0.
With a curling attempt, Lauren Hemp broke the tie to start the second half before Chloe Kelly had a penalty saved.
Roord, a summer club-record acquisition from Wolfsburg and a Netherlands international, entered the game in the 55th minute and immediately scored for City.
Leila Ouahabi was given a straight red card for striking Emma Harries, which caused City to lose a player, but the Hammers were unable to rally.