Chelsea were unable to make a winning start to their Barclays FA Women’s Super League title defence, held 1-1 at Manchester United.
Barclays FA WSL – results for 6 September
Arsenal 6-1 Reading
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Birmingham City
Bristol City 0-4 Everton
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 West Ham United
Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea
United’s Galton cancels out Kerr opener
Sam Kerr opened the scoring on 25 minutes, getting the edge on her marker to prod home from Fran Kirby’s low cross.
Kerr had a second ruled out for offside moments later, then Mary Earps saved her powerful strike which was set up by Ji So-yun’s excellent ball but Leah Galton almost levelled on half-time as her header hit the crossbar.
Carly Telford tipped over an Ella Toone effort, Earps keeping United in it at the other end with a couple of stops, before Galton nipped in to equalise inside the last dozen minutes.
Roord nets treble as Gunners rout Royals
Arsenal effectively had the points in the bag by the break and were ahead with a perfect Kim Little volley from Leah Williamson’s lofted ball.
Steph Catley hit the bar with a free-kick before Jordan Nobba played in Vivianne Miedema to round the keeper and double the advantage, then Beth Mead picked out Jill Roord in space to shoot past Grace Moloney from the edge of the box.
Roord went onto score two more to complete her hat-trick, with Miedema rifling a 20-yard effort into the roof of the net in-between times.
Danielle Carter hit the post before Manuela Zinsberger’s mistake let her poke home a consolation.
Graham to the fore for Everton
Lucy Graham made one and scored two as Everton built up a three-goal advantage at Bristol City
Simone Magill volleyed home Graham’s ball over the top early on, Graham turned in Nicoline Sørensen’s cross and after the break converted from the spot.
Graham was involved yet again, as Valerie Gauvin made it 4-0 in the final minute.
Leon leveller sees London derby drawn
Kit Graham struck the frame of the goal twice in the first half but Grace Fisk turned the ball into her own net from Lucy Quinn’s 53rd-minute corner.
The lead lasted less than five minutes though, as Adriana Leon replied with a solo effort.
Quickfire brace secures win for Brighton
Brighton struck twice in three minutes around the hour mark to take a 2-0 lead over visitors Birmingham City. Megan Connolly broke the deadlock and Inessa Kaagman doubled the advantage.
