Manchester City came from 2-0 down to win at Birmingham City, Chelsea got their first league goals, Reading beat the Reds and West Ham saw off Yeovil Town 2-1.
Sunday 30 September
FA WSL
Birmingham City 2-3 Manchester City (Att: 824)
Chelsea 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Liverpool 0-1 Reading (Att: 382)
West Ham United 2-1 Yeovil Town
Cityzens battle back to beat Blues
Things did not appear to be going the way of injury-hit Manchester City but they overcame a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 and end Birmingham City’s perfect start.
The hosts were gifted a bizarre goal on 8 minutes, as Abbie McManus opted for a long-range back-pass which bounced over Ellie Roebuck.
Lucy Staniforth cleared a Jen Beattie header off the line and Nikita Parris had a great chance to level on half-time but Berger blocked well to make up for a poor clearance.
Meaghan Sargeant headed home a corner via the far post to make it 2-0 on 49 minutes but the visitors soon pulled one back, as Caroline Weir’s follow-up on a half-cleared cross looped up off a defender and over Berger into the net.
Roebuck made a crucial interception when racing out to deny Staniforth and her side were back level on 65 minutes, Weir weaving her way through the defence to present Parris with a tap in.
The visitors completed the turnaround with another heavily deflected effort, Tessa Wullaert’s shot taken over the keeper for a 72nd-minute lead.
It was nearly four when Weir’s free kick crashed against the post and across the goalmouth, while at the other end Staniforth hit the post from a tight angle.
Chelsea net first league goals
After three goalless draws, Chelsea struck their first two league goals in a 2-0 victory over Brighton.
Ramona Bachmann had an early effort cleared off the Brighton line and Marie Hourihan twice denied Erin Cuthbert but the breakthrough came just after the half-hour mark, Magda Eriksson’s picking out the run of Fran Kirby whose flick found the back of the net.
Three minutes later and it was 2-0 on the counter-attack, Bachmann crossing for Cuthbert to steer past Hourihan on the half-volley.
Albion’s Ini Umotong raced through on goal after the break but her prodded attempt was turned round the post by Carly Telford’s finger-tip save.
Bachmann was denied a second time by a last-gasp clearance from Fliss Gibbons, Hourihan did well to keep out an effort from Eriksson, before Telford tipped over Umotong’s shot.
Chaplen chips Reading into fourth
Reading went fourth in the table as Brooke Chaplen got the only goal of the game, away to Liverpool at Tranmere Rovers FC.
Reds’ debutant keeper Fran Kitching got down well to stop Fara Williams’ free kick crossing the line.
However, Reading did find the net 10 minutes short of the interval, Chaplen dinking a shot over Anke Preuss.
The hosts were reduced to 10 players 10 minutes after the restart when Rhiannon Roberts was sent off.
Williams went close to doubling the advantage in the final 10 minutes, just missing the top corner.
Hammers secure first win
West Ham had a narrow 2-1 victory over Yeovil Town after swiftly replying to a Glovers’ equaliser.
Amber Gaylor’s free kick found the back of the net for the visitors but it was ruled out for offside.
Glovers’ goalkeeper Megan Lynch got down well to deny Gilly Flaherty and Megan Kelly cleared off the visitors line before half time.
Leanne Kiernan broke the deadlock midway through the second half, hitting home when a corner was only partially cleared.
Although Ellie Mason replied from a Hannah Short set piece, moments later Rosie Kmita broke free to restore the advantage.
Yeovil might have still taken a point but Olivia Fergusson shot narrowly wide when played in by Gaylor.
