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Khadija Shaw struck twice in the second half as Manchester City opened the defence of their Women’s Super League crown with a 3-1 win over promoted Birmingham.

City went in front four minutes into the second half when the ball fell kindly for Australia forward Mary Fowler, who fired it into the bottom-right corner.

Last season’s Golden Boot winner Shaw then nodded in from two corners to leave the champions in complete control before Oceane Hurtre scored a stoppage-time consolation for the Blues.

Elsewhere, Lisa Baum marked her Arsenal debut with a superb solo goal in the 10th minute as the Gunners secured a 1-0 victory away to Brighton.

The 19-year-old won the ball around the midway point inside the Brighton half and showed sharp footwork to glide past a couple of defenders before sending a shot in off the crossbar.

Grace Fisk scored twice as Liverpool cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win at Charlton, who are newly promoted to the WSL.

Fisk found the net early in both halves at The Valley, while Vivien Endemann added the third before Cornelia Kapocs converted an injury-time penalty to complete the rout.

New Tottenham signing Kirsty Hanson scored two goals on her debut to play a key role in a 3-1 victory over West Ham.

Hanson’s double put the home side in control after Signe Gaupset had given them the lead, while Viviane Asseyi pulled one back for the Hammers in the third minute of stoppage time.

Promoted Crystal Palace also began life back in the top flight with a win, defeating Everton 1-0 courtesy of Lexi Lloyd-Smith’s first-half goal at Borough Sports Ground.