Manchester City began their Women’s Super League title defense with a 3-1 win over newly-promoted Birmingham City. The reigning champions took control in the second half, with Australia forward Mary Fowler scoring in the bottom-right corner. Khadija Shaw, last season’s Golden Boot winner, added two goals from corners, securing City’s dominance. Birmingham’s Océane Hurtré scored a late consolation goal, but the visitors couldn’t prevent the defeat. Manchester City’s head coach Andrée Jeglertz acknowledged the team was hesitant in the first half but improved significantly in the second. Birmingham’s new goalkeeper, Sophie Baggaley, made a strong debut but couldn’t stop the loss. In another match, Lisa Baum scored on her Arsenal debut in the 10th minute to secure a 1-0 victory at Brighton. The 19-year-old Germany international created space inside the area and scored from a tight angle, with the ball hitting the underside of the crossbar. Arsenal’s new head coach, Arturo Ruiz, made his debut in charge of Brighton, which fell to a 1-0 defeat. The match marked a strong start for Arsenal, with Baum’s goal showing her potential as a key player for the team. Liverpool continued their strong start to the season with a 4-0 win over newly-promoted Charlton. Grace Fisk scored twice, with her goals coming early in each half, while Vivien Endemann added a third. Cornelia Kapocs sealed the win with a stoppage-time penalty. Endemann described the victory as a significant start to the season, especially after Liverpool struggled last year. The team’s performance suggested they are ready to compete for the title. Tottenham secured a 3-1 win over West Ham, with debutant Kirsty Hanson scoring twice. Signed from Aston Villa, Hanson helped Tottenham take the lead before Signe Gaupset added another goal. West Ham’s Viviane Asseyi scored a late consolation goal, but the result was a solid start for Tottenham. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace made a winning start to their return to the top flight with a 1-0 victory over Everton, thanks to Lexi Lloyd-Smith’s first-half goal. Lloyd-Smith expressed her excitement, highlighting the team’s underdog status and determination. New signings made an impact across the league, including Ona Batlle and Georgia Stanway at Arsenal, and Alexia Putellas and Mapi Leon at London City Lionesses. London City defeated Manchester United 2-1 in their opening match, showcasing strong possession and shooting stats. Meanwhile, Chelsea drew 1-1 with Aston Villa, with concerns about their lack of ruthlessness from last season still present. Several teams, including Liverpool and Tottenham, showed strong performances in their opening matches, indicating potential challenges for Manchester City as they begin their title defense.