The WSL is back: Ornella Vignola's hat-trick on debut, Arsenal shine, Chelsea win and more from the Women’s Super League’s return

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Written By Nicole Powell

The 2025/26 WSL season opened with plenty of drama, goals, and debut stars making an instant impact.

Here, Sports News Blitz deputy content editor Nicole Powell looks at the key stories from the weekend.

Everton turn derby on its head

Everton kicked off their 2025/26 WSL season with an explosive 4-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield.

The star was debutant Ornella Vignola - her stunning hat-trick turned the game around after Liverpool’s early lead from Cornelia Kapocs. Katja Snoeijs added the fourth. 

Vignola became the first Everton player - male or female - to score a derby hat-trick since Dixie Dean in 1931.

Liverpool midfielder Ceri Holland admitted the result was “really, really disappointing,” blaming poor key moments and slow adaptation to new coach Gareth Taylor’s style.

Arsenal show class against London City

Arsenal also started the season strong with a 4-1 comeback win over newly promoted London City Lionesses.

Kosovare Asllani gave London City an early lead with a penalty, but £1 million signing Olivia Smith equalised with a beautiful long-range strike on her debut.

Chloe Kelly, Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum added more goals to seal the win.

READ MORE: Chelsea women sign Alyssa Thompson in potential record deal

Chelsea hold nerve to beat Man City

Defending champions Chelsea got off to a winning start with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Manchester City.

Aggie Beever-Jones scored the opener, assisted by impressive debutant Ellie Carpenter.

Maika Hamano added the second, while City responded with an own goal from Niamh Charles.

Chelsea remain unbeaten in league matches since May 2024, starting their title defence on a positive note.

Man Utd cruise, Spurs edge, Brighton stalemate

Manchester United made a statement with a 4-0 win over Leicester, featuring two late goals from Melvine Malard.

In London, Tottenham won 1-0 against West Ham, courtesy of a late penalty by Bethany England after a foul on Eveliina Summanen.

The only draw of the weekend came from Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa in a goalless game.

MORE BY NICOLE POWELL: Toto Wolff issues McLaren warning after Italian GP: ‘McLaren set a precedent that is very difficult to undo’

Nicole Powell

Nicole is a sports writer and editor with expertise in motorsports and football, currently managing the motorsport department at Last Word On Sports (LWOS).

She thrives on blending her love for Chelsea FC with insightful football pieces and channels her admiration for Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel into compelling motorsport narratives.

Nicole is all about making an impact - whether it's delivering sharp, SEO-optimised articles, crafting strategies for digital platforms, or inspiring aspiring writers to hone their craft.

A perfectionist at heart (and mildly allergic to typos), she approaches every project with a mix of professionalism and her signature enthusiasm for all things sport.

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