9 Saves Stop Chelsea's 35 Shots as She Rewrites WSL Record in One Match

During the opening weekend of the 2026-27 Women's Super League season, Aston Villa goalkeeper Okuma Akane delivered an almost unbelievable performance that left Chelsea's attacking group frustrated. She made nine saves throughout the match, facing 35 shots from the Blues and an expected goals figure of 3.6, ultimately helping Villa take a point away from home.

This was not an ordinary draw. Opta data showed that Chelsea's 35 shots were their highest total in a league match they failed to win, while their 3.6 expected goals was also their highest figure in a similar match since November 2017. In other words, Akane alone turned a game that Villa could have lost into a point on the board.

A goalkeeper who made history on her debut

Akane's nine saves rank second in WSL debut history. The only goalkeeper above her was Lisa Weiss, who made 10 saves for Villa against Reading in September 2020. However, the pressure Weiss faced in that match was on a completely different level from Chelsea's 35-shot barrage this time.

Based on the quality of shots she faced, Akane prevented an estimated 1.3 goals. That figure would rank among elite single-match goalkeeper performances in any league, and its value is even higher considering it came in an opening match against a team of Chelsea's level.

More than one defensive highlight

In Opta's best XI from the opening round, defensive players made up a significant portion of the selection. Manchester United's Andrea Medina led the league in tackles and interceptions, while Liverpool's Grace Fisk helped her team keep a clean sheet with a 99.2% pass completion rate. Manchester City's Kerstin Caspari also contributed in attack while remaining strong defensively.

The common factor among these players is clear: they were not simply holding their positions, but were also proactive in defensive actions while maintaining quality distribution. Fisk's 99.2% passing accuracy as a centre-back meant Liverpool could build from the back with almost no margin for error.

Creative output focused on the wings and midfield

Lauren Hemp led the league in chance creation, with her nine crossing attempts the most among all opening-round players. In Manchester City's 3-1 home victory, another full-back attempted eight crosses, continuing to create danger from wide areas. In midfield, Arsenal's Georgia Stanway and London City Lionesses' Danielle van de Donk each provided assists for their teams' winning goals.

In attack, Manchester City's Khadija Shaw and Tottenham's Kerys Harrop both scored twice. Shaw's two goals further strengthened her status as one of the league's top forwards, while Harrop's brace gave Tottenham enough attacking confidence in their opening match.

A sign that new arrivals and established stars are both making an impact

The most notable aspect of this best XI is that both new arrivals and established stars are making an impact. New faces such as Akane and Medina directly raised the defensive floor of their respective teams, while familiar names like Hemp, Shaw and Stanway continued the form they showed last season.

The quality of the opening weekend suggests one thing: the 2026-27 WSL season may feature even greater competitive density than last season. When a mid-table team's goalkeeper can earn a point against Chelsea with nine saves, and Liverpool's clean sheet is built on a 99.2% passing accuracy rate, the margin for error in this league is rapidly shrinking.