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.
Last year they just about did enough to claim the title on goal difference ahead of Manchester City, while Arsenal will again hope to make it a three-horse race for the WSL title. Meanwhile Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham will hope to progress after further rebuilding this summer.
Crystal Palace were promoted to replace Bristol City in the top flight, while on a wider note, the league is now under the management and operation of a new organisation set up to lead women's football towards further growth and progression, with Nikki Doucet overseeing both the WSL and Championship in a new phase for the game.
Follow the live action below as Chelsea face Crystal Palace today in the WSL:
Chelsea FC Women 2 - 0 Crystal Palace Women FC
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:51My Cato (Crystal Palace Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:51Agnes Beever-Jones (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:50Attempt blocked. Catarina Macário (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:46Offside, Chelsea Women. Niamh Charles is caught offside.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:43Offside, Chelsea Women. Sjoeke Nüsken is caught offside.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:39Goal! Chelsea Women 2, Crystal Palace Women 0. Catarina Macário (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Sandy Baltimore.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:37Goal! Chelsea Women 1, Crystal Palace Women 0. Guro Reiten (Chelsea Women) converts the penalty with a left footed shot.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:36Penalty conceded by Molly-Mae Sharpe (Crystal Palace Women) after a foul in the penalty area.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:34Attempt missed. Sjoeke Nüsken (Chelsea Women) header from the right side of the six yard box misses to the right. Assisted by Guro Reiten with a cross following a corner.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:32Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Lily Woodham.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:29Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Lily Woodham.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:30Attempt missed. Guro Reiten (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left misses to the right. Assisted by Sjoeke Nüsken.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:41Attempt blocked. Guro Reiten (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:26Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Allyson Swaby.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:28Attempt blocked. Sjoeke Nüsken (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Guro Reiten.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:25Offside, Chelsea Women. Agnes Beever-Jones is caught offside.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:23Attempt blocked. Catarina Macário (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:20Attempt missed. Oriane Jean-François (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Guro Reiten following a set piece situation.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:19Guro Reiten (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:18Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Lily Woodham.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:17Offside, Chelsea Women. Guro Reiten is caught offside.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
19:16First Half begins.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
18:45Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
17:15Follow live football coverage with The Independent today.
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