1) Miedema hits the ground running for Arsenal
In her first season in the WSL Vivianne Miedema did not quite live up to expectations, which were sky high after she top-scored for the Netherlands when they won the European Championship last summer. Perhaps she just needed time to fit in with her new team-mates: she scored four league goals last season, and this time she has got three after one game. Arsenal’s performance in a 5-0 win over Liverpool was a real statement of intent, but a lack of squad depth could be their downfall – three key players are currently injured and they could only name four substitutes.
2) Redfearn’s tactical switch makes a difference
It was a tough first league game in charge for Neil Redfearn, the Liverpool manager. His new side could have done without an opening-day trip to Arsenal but did not help themselves with a disastrous defensive display in the first half. Starting with four at the back they were all at sea, and four down by the break. At half-time he switched to a back three and in the second half they looked both much more assured at the back and significantly more threatening going forward. It would be no surprise if after that experience Redfearn sticks with a back three from now on.
3) Chambers working wonders in charge at Reading
Reading were the other big winners on the opening day, putting four past Yeovil in a one-sided game. Kelly Chambers is building something really special there, putting together a well-organised and widely feared team based around a core of experienced internationals, and the likes of Josanne Potter and Fara Williams are bringing the best out of the younger players around them. Having spoken to many of them it is clear that morale is sky-high, and good results are following as a result. Yeovil came bottom last season, scoring only two goals in the process, and haven’t improved significantly since then: I might have plenty of opportunities to batter them in this column, but they’ll get enough of that on the pitch.
4) Chelsea miss Kirby’s class in City stalemate
Fran Kirby won every award going last season including PFA and FWA player of the year, but she started Chelsea’s game against Manchester City on the bench and though she made a difference when she came on with about 20 minutes to play the game ended goalless. Maybe Kirby came into it with a minor injury, but perhaps Emma Hayes, the Chelsea coach, will be kicking herself for not having her in from the start. She is certainly the kind of player who could have made the difference in a match that was always going to be tight. Chelsea’s squad depth is unreal but against a defence as strong as City’s their attack had to be at its very best.
5) Stoney set to drive United to more maulings
Having watched Manchester United’s cup games against Liverpool and Reading last month I was not totally surprised by their 12-0 win over Aston Villa in the Championship. I know Casey Stoney very well having played with her for years, and I can just picture her half-time team talk at 6-0 – gesticulating, pointing out where they could improve. These are the standards she’ll expect from her team, and that’s why she was the perfect appointment. It’s a dream start for her as a manager, and I can see them handing out a few more thrashings this season – and starting the next one in the WSL.
Rachel Brown-Finnis is a BT Sport analyst. BT Sport has coverage of FA WSL, FA Continental Tyres League Cup and SSE Women’s FA CupWatch Brighton v Liverpool on BT Sport 1, on Sept 23, from noon.
