By Tony Leighton

Smith struck a clinical hat-trick for Arsenal on opening day

England striker Kelly Smith hit a hat-trick as Women's Premier League champions Arsenal kicked off the season with a 4-0 win against Blackburn.

Chelsea went one better with a 5-0 victory over Liverpool, striker Lianne Sanderson - a summer signing from Arsenal - bagging three of the goals.

Last season's runners-up Everton had to settle for a 1-0 win against Doncaster.

Both promoted clubs suffered defeats, Fulham 2-1 to Leeds Carnegie and Nottingham Forest 1-0 to Birmingham.

Arsenal 4-0 Blackburn Rovers

Smith followed her Community Shield winner against Everton with three goals which killed off the Rovers challenge.

She struck twice in the first 17 minutes then, 10 minutes after Jayne Ludlow had stretched the lead in the 46th minute, Smith completed her hat-trick to wrap up victory.

Chelsea 5-0 Liverpool

Sanderson and strike partner Eni Aluko shared the goals to help Chelsea top the table after the first day's fixtures.

The strikers were a feared pairing at England Under-19 level and showed why as they ran the visitors ragged.

And they took it in turns scoring, Sanderson's goals coming in the 17th, 35th and 72nd minutes while Aluko's arrived after 22 and 48 minutes.

Everton 1-0 Doncaster Rovers Belles

A super-quick goal by Emily Westwood, who collected a Fara Williams pass to score, proved enough to give the Toffees a three-point start.

The home side might have had more goals, Leanne Duffy going closest when she hit the bar on the half-hour, but the Belles gave as good as they got in a hard-fought contest.

Bristol Academy 2-2 Watford

Kerry Bartlett grabbed a late equaliser for Bristol after Watford had come from behind to take the lead.

An early Academy goal by Stef Curtis was cancelled out by substitute Jodian Clarke, who then put Watford in front.

Former Fulham and Chelsea player Clarke looked to have given the Hornets victory, but with time running out Bartlett salvaged a point for the home side.

Leeds Carnegie 2-1 Fulham

After a season in the Southern Division newly-promoted Fulham made a bright start on their return to the top flight, Lauren Phillips giving them a seventh-minute lead.

Leeds, who last term finished third and were beaten FA Cup finalists, took the whole of the first half to get into their stride.

But Katie Holtham netted their equaliser seconds before the interval, then England winger Sue Smith hit the winner 19 minutes into the second half.

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Birmingham City

Forest's first ever game in the top division ended in disappointment after they had battled well throughout an even first half.

Blues capped an excellent spell after the break with a 65th minute goal from Becky Hall, who raced on to a Heather Scheuber through-ball to shoot home.