WSL: Manchester United, Brighton off to winning starts

Manchester United began their Women's Super League season with a 3-0 home victory over West Ham United on Saturday, while Brighton & Hove Albion's new signing Kiko Seike scored a magnificent hat-trick as they defeated Everton 4-0.

Brazilian attacker Geyse opened the scoring in the 28th minute, and Leah Galton added another in first-half stoppage time to put the Red Devils ahead 2-0 at halftime.

With West Ham unable to contain the home side's onslaught, Grace Clinton netted the third goal in the 53rd minute as last season's FA Cup winners cruised to victory in their opening league game.

It wasn't enough to go to the top of the table, though, as Brighton's Seike scored three goals and fellow debutant Fran Kirby scored a penalty as the Seagulls romped to victory at home against Everton.

Seike opened with a wonderful long-range lob in the first half, then followed up in the second with a header and a rocket into the top corner to clinch the first hat-trick by a debutant in WSL history, sending her team to the top of the league standings on goals scored.

On Friday night, reigning champions Chelsea opened the season with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at home, while the weekend's marquee matchup will be between perennial title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City in London on Sunday.

SportsLigue