Matildas Abroad Review: City and Lyon win; while Arsenal beats Chelsea in a thriller

Arsenal won a WSL thriller against Chelsea in their season opener, while Lyon hit crosstown rivals Saint-Étienne for six. 

Here is your chance to catch up on all of the latest updates as leagues continue to kick off throughout Europe, with plenty of Aussies playing in the opening weekend of the WSL.

Journey to 2023 - Thin Banner

England

Manchester City started the season off with a convincing 4-0 win against hosts Everton. Hayley Raso made her starting debut for City, picking up an assist on Bunny Shaw's goal. 

The speedy winger troubled her former club, almost opening the scoring just 10 minutes in when her attempt to chip the keeper sailed over the bar. 

Alanna Kennedy made her debut for City, coming on in the 73rd minute to replace Alex Greenwood.

After a season playing defensive midfield for Tottenham, Kennedy was back in CB for City's win. 

Hayley Raso against Everton
Hayley Raso against Everton in Manchester City's 4-0 win (Source: GettyImages)

Moving to North London, it's hard to believe an opening round fixture would have ramifications on the title race already, but the Arsenal and Chelsea game definitely did. 

Vivianne Miedema opened the scoring for the home side squeezing the ball past the Chelsea keeper, while Erin Cuthbert found the equaliser at the stroke of halftime.

Later, two goals to Beth Mead secured the 3-2 win for Arsenal. It was the first time since May 2017 that Chelsea has been defeated away from home.

Arsenal's Caitlin Foord was ruled out of the game with a quad strain, while Steph Catley and Chelsea's Sam Kerr came on as substitutes in the second half.

Kerr had some promising chances late in the second half but was unable to trouble Arsenal's shot-stopper. 

Lydia Williams remained on the bench in her side's win. 

Meanwhile, Mackenzie Arnold started in goals for West Ham in their 2-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion. 

Arnold was strong in the goals, however, a handball and straight red card to a defender in the box sent Brighton to the spot. Inessa Kaagman went to the spot for Brighton and slotted their first home, with Arnold so close to denying the attempt.

France

Mary Fowler made her first appearance for Montpellier this season in their 1-0 loss to defending champions PSG, with Sara Däbritz converting a penalty to secure PSG the win.

Coming off the bench in the 61st minute, Fowler's attempt just 10 minutes after coming on was the closest Montpellier got to the equaliser in the second half.  

Ellie Carpenter in Lyon's 6-0 win. (Source: @OLfeminin Instagram)
Ellie Carpenter in Lyon's 6-0 win. (Source: @OLfeminin Instagram)

Elsewhere in France, Ellie Carpenter's Lyon took on newly-promoted Saint-Étienne in the local derby, defeating the newcomers 6-0. 

Carpenter started the game for Lyon and was replaced in the 58th minute after Lyon were five goals up.

Sweden

The ladder leaders FC Rosengård bounced back after their UWCL loss, beating AIK 3-0, Teagan Micah and Charlotte Grant both started for their side. 

Grant was strong defensively and provided some speed in attack, almost setting up Rosengård second with a dangerous ball into the box. 


Elsewhere in Sweden, Dylan Holmes' BK Häcken defeated Piteå 1-0. 

Holmes came on in the 83rd minute to see out the win and Häcken remains in second place, sitting six points behind Micah and Grant's Rosengård. 

Clare Polkinghorne made her first appearance for Vittsjö after returning from the Olympic Games. Polkinghorne played a full 90 minutes in her side's 1-0 win over third-placed Eskilstuna. 

Denmark

Jenna McCormick made her third start in a row for AGF in their 2-0 loss to Køge, despite the defeat to an undefeated Køge, the defence shut down several chances to keep the game at 2-0. 

Jenna McCormick for AGF Fodbold (Source: @AGFFodbold Twitter)
Jenna McCormick for AGF Fodbold (Source: @AGFFodbold Twitter)

Meanwhile, Fortuna Hjørring played out their first draw of the season. With sixth placed KoldingQ keeping Hjørring to 0-0, denying Fortuna the chance to regain their spot at the top of the table. 

Indiah-Paige Riley came on in the 60th minute, while Alex Huynh remained on the bench. 

Iceland

Emma Checker captained her side yet again in Selfoss' loss to Tindastóll, two late goals to the visiting team saw Tindastóll win 3-1. 

Italy

Ella Mastrantonio's Lazio is still in search of their first win of the season, going down 1-0 to Inter. 

Mastrantonio made her second start in a row, coming off in the 86th minute.

Spain

UDG Tenerife had a tough opening round fixture, taking on UWCL champions FC Barcelona. The hosts showed why they lifted the prestigious trophy last season, running away 5-0 winners.

Beattie Goad made an appearance off the bench, coming on in the 77th minute. 

America

Chloe Logarzo's Kansas City hosted North Carolina Courage, with Kansas sitting in last place, vital points were on the line. 

Logarzo came on in the 57th minute to help Kansas see out the 0-0 draw and secure a valuable point. Chloe's corners into the box trouble the Courage defence, however, they were unable to find the winner.