WSL: Arsenal and Man City share spoils; Spurs win, Liverpool draw

Two title contenders face off against each other in week one of the season as Man City travel to Arsenal.

Here’s the lowdown of all the action in the WSL.

Honours even as Beth Mead rescues a point at home to Man City

Scorers: Maanum 8′, Mead 81′; Miedema 42′, Park 58′

A hotly anticipated WSL opener between Arsenal and Manchester City ended in a 2-2 draw in front of 41,818 supporters at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal faced this toughest of tests on the back of a disappointing draw with BK Häcken in midweek Champions League action, and they faced an early scare from former striker Viv Miedema.

A quick break immediately following that chance saw the Gunners take the lead, when a dangerous cross from Caitlin Foord was met by Freida Mannum, finished with power into the top corner following her surging run into the box.

As half-time approached, Miedema seized her chance, outwitting the Arsenal defence as she drove into the box, her shot deflecting heavily off Laia Codina and finding the back of the net.

Into the second half and Arsenal had a Foord goal disallowed for offside, and Jonas Eidevall’s side were made to pay for that when Man City took the lead.

It was a wonder strike from the in-form Jess Park that put the away side ahead, her shot on the half-turn from the edge of the box smashing against the underside of the bar and over the line.

A grandstand finish ensued, as subsitute Beth Mead turned in a shot from Rosa Kafaji that had rebounded off the near post to rescue a point.

Liverpool held by Leicester in their new stadium

Scorers: Román Haug 45′; Rantala 53′

Liverpool got off to a disappointing 1-1 draw with Leicester at their new home at St Helens Stadium.

Matt Beard’s got off to a strong start, taking the lead on the stroke of half-time as Sophie Román Haug found herself unmarked from a corner and headed home.

Yet Leicester were in no mood to roll over, and managed to take a free-kick while the Liverpool defence were caught napping as Jutta Rantala struck across Rachael Laws to score in the far corner.

Tottenham win big over WSL newcomers Crystal Palace

Scorers: Raso 19′, Naz 53′, Spence 76′, Ahtinen 80′

Tottenham kicked off their campaign in style, delivering a 4-0 home win over Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace kicked off their first season in the WSL, but were behind after only 19 minutes when Hayley Raso – on her return to the league after a year at Real Madrid – made a lung-busting run to deliver the finish across the face of goal.

Tottenham’s pressing paid off when they stole the ball from Palace high up the pitch, allowing Jessica Naz to run clean through on goal.

Eagles ‘keeper Shae Yanez made a good save on the first attempt, but Naz was ready and waiting to net the rebound.

The result was sealed when a superb piece of team play gave Drew Spence the opportunity to control and then smash her shot home with 15 minutes to go.

Olga Atinhen added another from distance into the top corner with minutes remaining to compound what was a miserable afternoon for Palace.

To make matters worse for the visitors, Brooke Aspin was shown a red card four minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game.

The next WSL action takes place on Friday night as Chelsea look to make it back-to-back wins under new boss Sonia Bompastor when they travel to Crystal Palace.