Manchester City get WSL title defence off to a flying start | OneFootball

As Manchester City look to defend their WSL title, Andree Jeglertz’s side welcomed newly promoted Birmingham to the Joie Stadium. Goals from Mary Fowler, Bunny Shaw and Océane Hurtré treated fans to an action packed afternoon as the 2026/27 season got underway.

Starting XI’s

Manchester City

Yamashita; Casparij, Rose, Prior, Greenwood, Blindkilde, Hasegawa, Fowler, Fujino, Hemp, Shaw

Birmingham

Baggaley; McKenna, Herron, Turner, Levasseur, Hurtre, Naalsund, Sarri, Leidhammar, Crosthwaite, Lee

How it went

The first half provided relatively little action as both sides got their league campaign off to a nervy start. Manchester City dominated most of the early chances as Bunny Shaw came close to opening the scoring for City, with two headers saved by Sophie Baggaley. Chances for Aoba Fujino and Alex Greenwood also tested the Birmingham keeper as the Blues returned to top flight action. The visitors also had several good chances with Lily Crosthwaite and Veatriki Sarri both testing Ayaka Yamashita. With neither team able to break the deadlock, the two sides went in goalless at the break.

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The second half finally saw the deadlock broken as Mary Fowler found the back of the net in the 49th minute, opening her sides account for the season. Just six minutes later, Shaw headed the ball home to give her side a comfortable lead against the newly promoted visitors. A second header from Shaw in the 86th minute all but ensured the hosts victory. In the dying seconds of regulation time, however, Océane Hurtré snatched a late consolation for the Blues with a well placed shot from the edge of the area. The win marks a continuation of Manchester City’s perfect home record from last season with the side having failed to drop a point.

Up Next

Manchester City will face Aston Villa away before welcoming Liverpool to the Joie Stadium in the WSL. The league champions will then embark on their Champions League campaign, facing Bayern Munich away.

Birmingham will host Brighton at St Andrew’s ahead of a difficult clash with Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea side.

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