FA Women's Super League: What we've learned from the opening round

The FA Women’s Super League is back with a bang as 10 teams got their season underway.

There were victories for Arsenal, Reading, Birmingham and Bristol City with champions Chelsea being held to a 0-0 draw with Manchester City.

And as we catch our breath after a pulsating opening weekend, let’s examine what we’ve learned from round one including a sensational result in the FA Women’s Championship.

READ MORE: Man City hold Chelsea in WSL opener

Miedema on song for Gunners

As first days go, Arsenal’s comprehensive victory over Liverpool was as perfect as they come.

And that was in no small part down to Viv Miedema who ran riot against the visitors, smashing in a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory.

The Dutch international tucked home before setting up Lisa Evans and Kim Little to put Arsenal in control.

A scuffed shot just before half-time made it 4-0 and Miedema rounded-off a fine afternoon’s work with a driving free-kick to secure Arsenal’s first WSL hat-trick since Kelly Smith notched up a treble in September 2014.

Defending champions start with draw

Chelsea were simply superb last season but they faced one of their sternest tests on the first day of the campaign in the form of Manchester City.

The hosts started the better with chances from Beth England, Maren Mjelde and Ramona Bachmann all going close.

Fran Kirby almost snatched the victory for Emma Hayes’ team but City held firm to ensure the spoils were shared.

Graham’s away day delight

Brighton have joined the top tier for the first time this year and they lined up against experienced opponents Bristol City.

Hope Powell is hoping to build a competitive side at Brighton but Albion went away empty handed despite Ella Rutherford working Laura Hartley.

The winner came 20 minutes before time when Beth Roe’s shot was saved by Sophie Baggaley before Lucy Graham found the net with a dipping long-range effort.

Wellings strikes early

They say the early bird catches the worm and that was the case in Birmingham where City struck early to defeat Everton.

Charlie Wellings took just 42 seconds to open her Birmingham City account for the season as she slotted home after being played in by Ellen White.

Birmingham looked comfortable, but Everton could have snatched a point as Claudia Walker turned neatly inside the box before being thwarted by Paige Williams.

Reading pick up where they finished

Reading lost just four times in the WSL last campaign as they finished in an impressive fourth place.

And that form looks to have continued into this season as they downed Yeovil 4-0.

A neat chip from Gemma Davison was followed by the deadly Fara Williams doubling the lead.

Lauren Brunton added a third from the sport before Remi Allen netted a minute later to put Reading second in the table.

United hit 12 on debut

Elsewhere, in the FA Women’s Championship, Manchester United got their maiden season in the division off the perfect start with a 12-0 hammering of Aston Villa.

Jess Sigsworth was the top scorer on the afternoon, hitting an incredible five goals as United went in 6-0 up at the break.

Lauren James and Kirsty Hanson both scored two each for Casey Stoney’s side as all of United’s 12 goals came in the opening 68 minutes.