Niamh Fahey returns for Liverpool, Jessie Stapleton makes Hammers debut

Republic of Ireland defender Niamh Fahey made her first appearance of the season for Liverpool on Wednesday night, but it ended in a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Continental League Cup.

Fahey suffered a calf injury in pre-season that ruled her out of the Reds' early league games and meant she missed Ireland's Nations League victories over Northern Ireland, Hungary and Albania [twice].

The Galway 36-year-old played the first 45 minutes at Prenton Park, almost connecting with Missy Bo Kearns' corner to break the deadlock.

However United would take the win thanks to a fine Nikita Parris effort just before the break.

Striker Leanne Kiernan continued her comeback, replacing Mia Enderby with 22 minutes to play.

Elsewhere Jessie Stapleton made her first start for West Ham since moving from Shelbourne in the summer.

The 18-year-old got the nod for the Hammers' Continental Cup clash with Brighton, but she also tasted defeat, with the Seagulls coming out on top 3-1.

Izzy Atkinson also started for West Ham, while Stapleton was replaced in the 66th minute by her old Shels team-mate Jess Ziu. Ziu endured 13 months out of action with an ACL injury, returning two weeks ago in the WSL loss to Bristol City.

It was a bad night at the office for Tyler Toland and Blackburn Rovers, who were hammered 7-0 by Aston Vlla. Toland was replaced in the 84th minute by Taylor Howarth.

Louise Quinn and Jamie Finn were part of the Birmingham City back four as they slipped to a 1-0 loss at Charlton. Lucy Quinn came off the bench for the Blues with ten minutes left.

Tottenham eased to a 3-0 victory over Bristol City, for whom Megan Connolly was stationed at centre-half. Chloe Mustaki was an unused Bristol sub.

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