Injury worry for Leanne Kiernan as Liverpool shock Chelsea, Saoirse Noonan scores twice

The Ireland striker helped earn Durham a first win of the Championship campaign

DURHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Saoirse Noonan of Durham celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Barclays FA Women's Championship match between Durham Women and Blackburn Ladies at Maiden Castle Sports Park on September 18, 2022 in Durham, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Republic of Ireland star Niamh Fahey shone as Liverpool enjoyed a perfect return to the WSL, shocking champions Chelsea 2-1 with two penalties from Katie Stengel in the second half.

Chelsea had the perfect start with a penalty of their own from Fran Kirby inside two minutes, but Liverpool battled back with captain Fahey defiant as Chelsea piled the pressure on. 

There was an injury concern for Liverpool and Ireland attacker Leanne Kiernan, who was forced off with a painful-looking ankle injury in the second half.

The Cavan woman had attracted the praise of Vera Pauw during Ireland's last international window, and impressed during the win in Slovakia. 

Ireland are back in action for a World Cup playoff away at Austria or Scotland on October 11 and Pauw will hope Kiernan's injury looked worse than it turns out to be. She was carried off in tears as her Liverpool side trailed 1-0 in the second half. She was replaced by fellow Irish star Megan Campbell. 

Earlier, another Republic of Ireland striker Saoirse Noonan scored twice as Durham Women earned their first win of the campaign in the English Championship on Sunday, beating Blackburn Rovers 3-1.

Noonan curled in a beauty from outside the area for the opener just after the half hour. Sarah Robson made it two before half-time.

Noonan with the worldie!pic.twitter.com/BmisS8ihTq

— Barclays WSL 2 (@BarclaysWSL2) September 18, 2022

Saffron Jordan pulled one back for Blackburn in the second half, but former Shelbourne and Cork City player Noonan wrapped up the win, dispossessing a Rovers defender before applying the finish.

In yesterday's WSL action, Grace Moloney was in goal for Reading in their 4-0 defeat at Manchester United. Maya Le Tissier scored twice on her debut for United, with Katie Zelem and England hero Alessia Russo also on target.  

Another Lioness, Rachel Daly scored twice for Aston Villa in a surprise 4-3 defeat of Manchester City on Sunday. 

Under-pressure City boss Gareth Taylor urged for patience with his new-look side after a summer of transfer ins and outs. 

Only one of his seven new recruits started - former Atlético Madrid midfielder Laia Aleixandri - in a midfield that badly missed departed England duo Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway,