LONDON : Champions Chelsea got their Women's Super League campaign underway with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Friday, but they endured a nervy final 20 minutes after an own goal by defender Niamh Charles.

The home side broke the deadlock in the 31st minute as Ellie Carpenter, a close-season signing from French side Olympique Lyonnais, swept up the right wing before squaring the ball for striker Aggie Beever-Jones to steer home.

City's Alex Greenwood came close to levelling in the 36th minute but, with Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton beaten, her powerful left-footed free kick thumped off the crossbar.

It was to prove a costly miss as Wieke Kaptein got away from Greenwood in the 64th minute before sending a perfect pass through the middle for Maika Hamano to

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