Women’s Super League Team of the Week for Matchday 1

8th September 2025 Kieran Lynch
Ella Toone Women's Super League Team of the Week
Ella Toone is in our Women’s Super League Team of the Week for Matchday 1 (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

The Women’s Super League returned with a bang over the weekend and here SheKicks gives our team of the week for Matchday 1.

Reigning WSL champions Chelsea started the weekend with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

Their closest challengers are expected to be Arsenal, who came from behind to beat newly promoted London City Lionesses 4-1.

Everton put in arguably the most impressive performance of the weekend, beating Liverpool 4-1 in the Merseyside Derby at Anfield.

There were also victories for Manchester United and Tottenham, as well as a goalless draw involving Brighton and Aston Villa.

Below is SheKicks’ Team of the Week for Matchday 1 in the Women’s Super League.

Women’s Super League Team of the Week for Matchday 1

Goalkeeper

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton)

There was a lot of excitement at Brighton when they signed Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie from Brighton.

The 24-year-old made an impressive start, as she was named as the Player of the Match following the Seagulls’ goalless draw with Aston Villa.

Nnadozie made four saves and was commanding in the air when balls came into the box.

Defenders

Ellie Carpenter (Chelsea)

Australian right-back Ellie Carpenter also had an impressive Women’s Super League debut, following her arrival from Lyon.

The 25-year-old was a constant threat down the right flank and set up Aggie Beever-Jones for Chelsea’s opener.

Carpenter came in for the injured Lucy Bronze and it will be an interesting battle to see who gets the nod on the right once the England international is fit.

After the match, Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor said she was ‘proud’ of Carpenter. 

Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United)

Manchester United might have cruised to a 4-0 victory over Leicester, but centre-back Maya Le Tissier stepped up well when called upon.

She made 16 recoveries and won six duels over the course of the 90 minutes.

The England international had 112 touches of the ball and was not dispossessed once during an impressive performance.

Dominique Janssen (Manchester United)

Although not quite as impressive as Le Tissier, Dominique Janssen also put in a stellar shift at centre-back for the Red Devils.

She made 12 recoveries and four duels, while not being dispossessed in any of her 84 touches on the ball.

Maz Pacheco (Everton)

Maz Pacheco showed why Everton signed the left-back from Aston Villa this summer, during the Merseyside Derby on Sunday.

The 27-year-old was effective at both ends of the pitch, providing two assists during their 4-1 victory.

As well as creating three chances, she made three interceptions and five recoveries.

Midfielders

Hinata Miyazawa (Manchester United)

An impressive display for the Manchester United star, who was rock solid in the midfield against Leicester City.

Miyazawa made two interceptions and eight recoveries as Leicester struggled to break through the Red Devils.

She also kept play ticking over with 60 successful passes at an accuracy of 88.2%.

Ella Toone (Manchester United)

England star Ella Toone was one of the star performers of the weekend with a goal and an assist against Leicester City.

Toone opened the scoring after just 13 minutes with a cool finish from just inside the box.

The No.10, who provided an assist for Melvine Malard, would have felt she could have had more goals to her name with six shots – three on target over the 90 minutes.

Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)

Spain international Mariona Caldentey picked up where she left off last season with an impressive display against the London City Lionesses.

Defensively, she was solid with 11 interceptions, and she also sparked attacks by winning possession in the final third on three occasions.

Caldentey will be vital to Arsenal’s aspirations of winning the Women’s Super League.

Forwards

Beth Mead (Arsenal)

Beth Mead, who had been linked with the London City Lionesses, was dropped to the bench as manager Renee Slegers picked new £1m signing Olivia Smith.

Smith showed her massive potential with a stunning goal against the Lionesses.

However, Mead came off the bench and perhaps put in an even better performance, providing two assists just her cameo.

Ornella Vignola (Everton)

New Everton signing Ornella Vignola made the perfect start to life at the Toffees, scoring a hat-trick in their 4-1 win over Liverpool.

It was a performance that Everton head coach Brian Sorensen hailed as ‘superb’ in the aftermath.

Not many will have known much about Vignola, but if she can continue this form she could be one of the signings of the season.

Melvine Malard (Manchester United)

French international Melvine Malard also got her season off to a perfect start with a brace against Leicester.

Malard scored four goals in the entirety of the 2024-25 season, but showed why she could make a step up this campaign, with an impressive display against the Foxes.

She will be hoping to add to her WSL tally when United face London City Lionesses on Sunday.

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About Kieran Lynch 384 Articles
Kieran Lynch is a sports writer specialising in women's football who started writing for SheKicks in June 2025. He writes about clubs and players across the Women's Super League, European football and international tournaments including Women's Euro 2025.

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