The 2025/26 Women’s Super League season kicks off in September, and fans are buzzing about the opening day fixture against London City Lionesses. To get everyone warmed up, let’s revisit some classic opening-day victories that set the tone for unforgettable seasons.
Reliving Opening Day Thrillers
A look back at five memorable opening day wins.
- The 2017 opener saw a dramatic 3-2 comeback win thanks to Jodie Taylor’s late penalty.
- Vivianne Miedema netted a hat-trick in a dominant 5-0 victory in 2018.
- Jill Roord scored three goals in a commanding 6-1 win in 2020.
- A 3-2 triumph in 2021 featured a stunning strike from Beth Mead.
- In 2022, an early red card didn’t stop a 4-0 win, with Mead scoring twice.
September 24, 2017
Arsenal 3-2 Birmingham City
What a way to start the season! The team battled back twice, showing incredible grit. Jodie Taylor sealed the 3-2 win with a penalty in the dying seconds against Birmingham. Ellen White, a former Gunner, had put the visitors ahead. Taylor equalized with a fierce shot past Ann-Katrin Berger. White then scored her second, and Birmingham went down to 10 players after Louise Quinn’s foul. Lisa Evans, coming off the bench, leveled again. A handball soon after led to a penalty, which Taylor calmly converted for the dramatic victory.
September 9, 2018
Arsenal 5-0 Liverpool
Meadow Park was treated to a Vivianne Miedema masterclass as the team thrashed Liverpool 5-0. Miedema opened the scoring in the sixth minute and assisted Lisa Evans for the second. Kim Little then weaved past defenders for the third. Miedema grabbed her second before halftime, making it 4-0. Despite chances in the second half, she completed her hat-trick with a thunderous strike from an indirect free-kick just before the final whistle.
September 6, 2020
Arsenal 6-1 Reading
Two years later, Jill Roord was the star, scoring a hat-trick in a dominant 6-1 victory over Reading. Kim Little kicked things off with a stunning volley from a Leah Williamson pass. Jordan Nobbs then set up Miedema for the second. Roord added a third before the break. The second half saw a brilliant team move finished by Little and Roord. Miedema scored a sensational long-range effort, and Roord completed her treble. Danielle Carter managed a late consolation for Reading, but it was an outstanding team performance.
September 5, 2021
Arsenal 3-2 Chelsea
The season began with a bang against Chelsea. Miedema gave the team an early lead with a sharp turn and finish in the box, but Erin Cuthbert equalized for the visitors. After halftime, Miedema provided a perfect pass for Beth Mead, who curled a stunning effort into the top corner with her weaker foot. Mead then added a second, rounding goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. Pernille Harder pulled one back for Chelsea with a header, but the defense held firm for a vital 3-2 win.
September 16, 2022
Arsenal 4-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Despite an early red card for Emma Kullberg just six minutes in for a foul on Stina Blackstenius, the team delivered a resounding 4-0 victory over Brighton. After holding on for 30 minutes, skipper Kim Little scored the opener from a Caitlin Foord pass. Blackstenius, a constant threat, got her deserved goal with a powerful shot on 50 minutes. Mead, fresh from Euro 2022 success, grabbed her first of the season from a Miedema cut-back. Miedema had a goal disallowed for offside, but Mead completed her brace late on, rounding the keeper after a loose ball to round off the 4-0 win.
