The new Women's Super League marks the start of a new era for reigning champions Chelsea, with long-serving boss Emma Hayes having departed in summer to start a new adventure with the USA Women's team.

No wonder most of the first half was played — and fought — in the midfield, where Sjoeke Nüsken and Erin Cuthbert often had to get support from a Chelsea Women defender or attacker to try to take the ball off the trio of Manchester City counterparts.