Liverpool got their Women’s Super League title defence off to the perfect start as Natasha Dowie’s second-half strike clinched victory over newcomers Manchester City.
Dowie, who was WSL top scorer last year, broke the deadlock for the Reds after Kate Longhurst had a goal chalked off for handball in the first half.
Liverpool came flying out the blocks and could have gone in front after just four minutes, but Dowie steered Fara Williams’ header wide.
Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City
The FA Women's Premier League
Thursday 17 April 2014
Select Security Stadium
Live on BT Sport
By Joe Redmond
They went closer still after the ball rebounded off Longhurst and into the net from Andrea Worrall’s attempted clearance, but referee Amy Fearn ruled handball against the striker.
And just before half time it was City’s turn to spring forward as forward Isobel Christiansen forced a fine stop out of Libby Stout.
After the restart Gemma Davison saw a close-range effort cleared off the line for the hosts, before Amanda DaCosta, Dowie and Williams all missed chances.
Then on 71 minutes, Dowie latched onto a through ball from Lucy Bronze before slotting the ball past the on-rushing Worrall.
City's Toni Duggan hit a rasping shot in the closing stages but Stout was equal to the effort as Liverpool held on for the three points.
Reds boss Matt Beard believes his side could have helped themselves to more goals after handing newcomers Manchester City defeat in their first-ever Women’s Super League match on Thursday.
"I was pleased that we won, Natasha took her goal very well and maybe on another night if we had a bit more composure in front of goal we could have got a few more," said Beard.
Dowie celebrates her winner against Manchester City
"You’ve got to stay focused and do your jobs and we didn’t do that which gave them a bit of momentum for a period but overall I’m pleased with the three points.
"From our perspective we’ve had bad injuries in pre-season which has affected the squad, so for us it means we can play with no pressure and just enjoy it."
Despite their loss, City first-team manager Nick Cushing insists his side displayed all the elements of a team that can challenge the very best in the WSL.
"We're disappointed but we're happy with the way that we've shown we can be competitive," he said.
"We knew they were going to come at us in the first half, we knew they were going to press us, we knew that they were really going to put us under pressure.
"But we saw that first half pressure out, we stuck together – we were resilient and then I felt we took the game to them and because of that we're disappointed we haven't scored.
Liverpool (4-4-2): Stout, Harris (Easton 69), Williams (Dale 88), Bonner, Bronze, Longhurst, Omarsdottir, Dowie, Davidson, Da Costa, Schroder.
Subs not used: Gibbons, Stewart, Hodson.
Manchester City (4-4-2): Worrall, Marsh, Holbrook, Houghton, Johnston (Flint 81), Scott, Duggan, Christiansen, Hassett, Nightingale, Lipman.
Subs not used: Brooks, Turner, Harding, Shepherd.
Bookings: Johnston, Nightingale, Holbrook.
Attendance: 1572
Referee: A. Fearn
