Manchester City launched its Women's Super League title defense Sunday, beating Birmingham City 3-1 at Joie Stadium to open the 2026/27 WSL soccer season with a winning score.
Manchester City Launches Women's Super League Season with Win
Despite the final scoreline, neither side found a breakthrough before halftime. Then Mary Fowler changed the momentum of the match in the 49th minute, burying a one-touch strike that doubled as Manchester City's 1,000th goal as a professional club.
Khadija "Bunny" Shaw took over from there. The Jamaican international rose to meet a Kerstin Casparij corner and powered a header into the back of the net to make it 2-0. Shaw later added a third, assisted by Beth Mead, to complete her brace while Lauren Hemp marked her 200th City appearance by earning Player of the Match honors.
Birmingham, back in the top flight after earning a promotion late last year, managed a stoppage-time reply through Océane Hurtré. But the result was well beyond reach by then.
"The most important thing was to get the win and start off on the right foot," Shaw said afterward. "We have to keep on going."
Manchester City now sits level on points with Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham after the WSL's opening day action.
