WSL: Chelsea Beat Birmingham as London City Lionesses Cruise Past Charlton

There were positive results for two of the league's bigger spenders this weekend, as Chelsea narrowly beat Birmingham City and London City Lionesses ran out comfortable winners away at Charlton.

At Stamford Bridge, substitute Melvine Malard scored on her league debut to seal a 2-0 win for Chelsea over Birmingham. Lexi Potter had put the hosts ahead early on, finishing off a move started by Alyssa Thompson, but Chelsea couldn't add to their lead despite dominating for long spells. Birmingham grew into the game after the break and had a few good chances to level, including a Wilma Leidhammar effort that was well saved by Hannah Hampton. It was Malard who settled things, pouncing on a mistake from Millie Turner late on to make it 2-0. The France international has now scored three goals in just 62 minutes of action across two substitute appearances since joining the club, and she could be exactly what Chelsea have been missing after struggling for goals in their opening game of the season.

[Man City Beat Liverpool 4-2 to Maintain Perfect WSL Start]

Elsewhere, London City Lionesses picked up their first away win of the campaign with a 4-1 win at Charlton. Isobel Goodwin was the star, scoring twice inside the opening 15 minutes to put her side firmly in control. Alexis Putellas, who joined from Barcelona in the summer, set up the opener with a pass in behind, her first assist since arriving in England. Charlton pulled one back through Jodie Hutton before the break, but Jana Fernandez restored London City's two-goal cushion soon after, and Nicole Anyomi added a fourth late on. The win moves London City up to third place, while Charlton remain bottom of the table after losing their opening three league games, only the fifth team in WSL history to start a season that badly.