Two matchweeks into the WSL's 14-team season, the early table is starting to say something — and Matchweek 2 (September 12–13) delivered a statement result, a first defeat for the league's most-watched new signing, and a road point for one of the three newly promoted clubs that looked a lot like a win.
| Date | Matchup | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Sept 12 | West Ham United vs. London City Lionesses | 2–1 |
| Sun, Sept 13 | Manchester United vs. Chelsea | 0–5 |
| Sun, Sept 13 | Everton vs. Charlton Athletic | 1–0 |
| Sun, Sept 13 | Liverpool vs. Tottenham Hotspur | 1–1 |
| Sun, Sept 13 | Birmingham City vs. Brighton & Hove Albion | 2–2 |
| Sun, Sept 13 | Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace | 0–0 |
| Sun, Sept 13 | Aston Villa vs. Manchester City | 1–4 |
Full-time scores, September 12–13, 2026.
Chelsea's 5-0 statement
Nobody made a louder point than the defending champions. Chelsea went to Old Trafford and put five past Manchester United without reply, with five different players getting on the scoresheet — Sjoeke Nüsken opened the scoring in the 21st minute and Keira Walsh added a second before United could settle. It's the kind of result that instantly separates the title conversation from the rest of the chasing pack barely two weeks into the season.
Manchester City is the last unbeaten side
Manchester City's 4-0 win at Aston Villa — goals from Rose, Fowler, Shaw, and Hemp — kept them the WSL's only team with a perfect record after two rounds. Combined with Chelsea's result, the league's two most decorated clubs have now combined to outscore their first four opponents 9-1, an early signal that the title race may again run through the same two dressing rooms.
A reality check for Putellas and London City
Alexia Putellas' London City Lionesses opened the season with a statement 2-1 win over Manchester United and a debut that had the league buzzing — then lost 2-1 at West Ham United in Matchweek 2, their first defeat of the campaign. Two games in, London City sit at 1-1, a reminder that one marquee signing reshapes a roster's ceiling but doesn't erase the growing pains of a club still finding its footing in a now-14-team league.
The promoted clubs: one big point, two tough afternoons
Of the three newly promoted sides, Crystal Palace had the best week without winning at all — a 0-0 draw at Arsenal, a result that looks a lot like a point stolen given the Gunners piled on more than 25 shots and couldn't find a way through. Birmingham City salvaged a 2-2 draw at home against Brighton after their tough opening-day loss at Manchester City, while Charlton Athletic are still searching for their first WSL points after falling 1-0 at Everton. Three games in each direction so far, and the gap between "competitive" and "overmatched" among the newly promoted clubs is already starting to show.
What's next
The WSL keeps rolling through the fall with a full round every week — see the current week's fixtures and kickoff times on the homepage schedule, updated every Tuesday.
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