Chelsea’s title defence got off to the perfect start as they beat rivals Manchester City in their Women’s Super League opener at Stamford Bridge.
Summer signing Ellie Carpenter was impressive on her debut, providing a lovely assist for Aggie Beever-Jones’ 31st-minute opener and tormenting City’s defence throughout.
Chelsea added a second when Maika Hamano slotted the ball past goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita in the 64th minute, before a Niamh Charles own goal gave City hope with 20 minutes left.
Former Lyon full-back Carpenter has reunited with manager Sonia Bompastor and showed why the Frenchwoman was keen to bring her to London and strengthen a squad that had just won a domestic trophy treble.
With bursting runs and dangerous deliveries, the Australian international was a handful for England defender Alex Greenwood, who was playing at left-back for the visitors.
It was City boss Andree Jeglertz’s first taste of WSL football after managing Denmark at Euro 2025.
He handed debuts to Sydney Lohmann and Jade Rose, who looked assured at centre-midfield and centre-back respectively.
However, despite some promising play from Jeglertz’s new-look City and Greenwood hitting the bar with a free-kick, it was the same old story, as Chelsea were clinical in the moments that mattered.
With Australian striker Sam Kerr on their bench for the first time in 20 months and new signing Alyssa Thompson – the 20-year-old USA forward brought in on deadline day – the home fans will feel there is still more to come from them this season as they pursue more honours.
City were spirited, but suffered further blows at the end of the game with Greenwood injured and forward Lily Murphy taken off on a stretcher.
