🏅 WSL Awards: Huge shocks, Euros heroines, goal of the season already? | OneFootball

The WSL is back and what a treat of an opening weekend we had! Shocks, screamers, and just about anything else you could wish for all recapped right here …

The Award for Picking Up Where You Left Off

Beth Mead was the hero of the summer and the star as Arsenal kicked off the new season on Friday night with a 4-0 win over Brighton.

Two goals and an assist from the winger was the perfect start to a new campaign. Ballon d’Or, anyone?

The Other Award for Picking Up Where You Left Off

Speaking of heroines, what about Rachel Daly? After a decade in the US she’s back in England and playing in her preferred position on home soil at last.

Talented and versatile, Daly has become a left-back for the Lionesses but prefers to play up front and made her case for that role on her Aston Villa debut, scoring twice to stun Manchester City in a 4-3 win at Villa Park.

The On The Spot Award

Well, we already have the surprise of the season. Newly-promoted Liverpool became the first promoted side to beat the reigning WSL champions since 2015 as they came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at Prenton Park.

Incredibly, all three goals came from the penalty spot.

A weekend to remember for the Reds and one forget for Chelsea, though they did recover from an opening day defeat to win the title last season.

The Early Contender Award

If we already have the shock of the season, do we already have the goal of the season too?

Ashleigh Neville’s long-range chip against Leicester will take some beating.

As if that wasn’t enough, Spurs’ 2-1 win also saw Drew Spence net from outside the area on her debut.

The Possible Title Contender(?) Award

Arsenal weren’t the only 4-0 winners this weekend, with Manchester United managing the same scoreline against Reading on Saturday.

Maya Le Tissier netted twice on her debut, Katie Zelem scored on her 100th appearance for the club, and another summer star Alessia Russo got off the mark for the campaign too.

United won’t admit it and they’ll look week to week but this result and Chelsea’s early slip has to have you wondering if Arsenal won’t be the only challengers for the title this season.

The Ones to Watch Award

Lisa Evans scored the only goal as West Ham kicked off their season with a win over Everton.

The Hammers impressed last season but have lost players and are under new management, while Everton disappointed in 2021/22 but have a strong squad on paper.

Do we have a potential surprise of the season here?