By OkayGoal
Manchester City got their Barclays Women’s Super League title defence off to a winning start with a 3-1 victory over newly-promoted Birmingham City at The Joie Stadium this afternoon.
Khadija Shaw netted a brace while Mary Fowler was also on target as The Cityzens were victorious on opening day.
It was the visitors who almost got off to a dream start. They won a corner inside the opening 30 seconds, but Marie Levasseur saw her effort cleared off the goal-line.
Océane Hurtré then almost capitalised on a back-pass, but home keeper Ayaka Yamashita did just about enough to deal with the danger.
At the other end, Shaw met Lauren Hemp’s cross, but she couldn’t beat Sophie Baggaley. Hemp soon produced another cross from the left which was met by Shaw, but she was again unable to take advantage.
Manchester City captain Alex Greenwood and Aoba Fujino had further efforts on the Birmingham City goal, but Baggaley was able to produce saves on both occasions. Fowler then slipped the ball to Shaw, who looked certain to score, but Neve Herron defended well and managed to perform a block.
Four minutes after half-time, Fowler broke the deadlock for the champions. The ball fell into the path of the Australian international and she slammed her shot into the bottom corner.
Shaw then finally got her goal. Kerstin Casparij swung the ball in after taking the corner and Shaw headed home.
Beth Mead almost had the dream start on her Manchester City debut. She attempted a shot at goal, but Baggaley once again was alert and stopped the ball. Hemp then cut the ball back into the path of Greenwood, but she ended up sending her strike over the crossbar.
Shaw scored her second goal and Manchester City’s third in the final few moments of the game, it was not dissimilar from her first. Mead sent the ball in from a corner and once again, Shaw headed it into the net.
Birmingham City did manage to get a goal back in stoppage time through Hurtré. Jade Rose was caught in possession as Hurtré stole the ball and slotted it into the net.
Both sides are back in action next Sunday. Manchester City travel to Aston Villa while Birmingham City play host to Brighton & Hove Albion.
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