Shaw's double fires Manchester City to winning WSL title defence start against Birmingham

Khadija Shaw scored twice as Manchester City launched their Women’s Super League title defence with a 3-1 victory over promoted Birmingham, while Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham all won on the opening weekend of the season.

City took the lead four minutes after half-time when the ball dropped for Australia forward Mary Fowler, who swept into the bottom-right corner. Last season’s Golden Boot winner Shaw then headed home from two corners to put the champions firmly in control, before Oceane Hurtre grabbed a last-minute consolation for Birmingham.

At Brighton, Arsenal marked their opening fixture with a 1-0 win thanks to a stunning solo goal from 19-year-old debutant Lisa Baum in the 10th minute. The summer signing picked up possession midway inside the Brighton half, showed neat footwork to beat a couple of defenders, and finished with a shot that clipped in off the crossbar.

Liverpool were equally impressive in a 4-0 rout of newly-promoted Charlton at The Valley. Grace Fisk scored early in each half, with Vivien Endemann adding a third before Cornelia Kapocs converted a stoppage-time penalty to complete the scoring.

New Tottenham signing Kirsty Hanson made an immediate impact on her debut, scoring twice in a 3-1 win over West Ham. Signe Gaupset had put Spurs ahead before Hanson’s brace put the hosts in command, with Viviane Asseyi registering a consolation for the Hammers deep in stoppage time.

Promoted Crystal Palace also made a winning return to the top flight, beating Everton 1-0 courtesy of Lexi Lloyd-Smith’s first-half strike at Borough Sports Ground.