Champions Chelsea to launch WSL defence against Man Utd

LONDON: Reigning champions Chelsea will kick off their Barclays FA Women’s Super League defence at Manchester United.

Emma Hayes’ side were declared champions on a points-per-game basis following the termination of the league in May due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chelsea will travel to Casey Stoney’s United on the opening weekend of the season, with the Football Association confirming the opening two rounds of fixtures for the WSL and Women’s Championship 2020-21 season.

Manchester City, who were leading the league when play was halted, head to promoted Aston Villa in what will be Gareth Taylor’s first match at the helm.

The Women’s Championship also gets under way on the weekend of September 5/6, with relegated Liverpool welcoming Durham.

The full fixture list for both divisions will be released in early September, with the FA confirming that the season is “due to start behind closed doors until it is safe for fans to return”.

Kelly Simmons, the FA’s director of the women’s professional game, said: “Fans have had to wait a while to see some live action and being able to announce the first two rounds of fixtures ahead of so many other leagues was something we really pushed for to build up the excitement ahead of the season starting.