A busy week for Chelsea was capped off by the arrival of Thompson and they rolled out the red carpet for her as she was introduced to fans at Stamford Bridge.
It was an unpleasant sight for City, who have a massive task on their hands to close the gap their hosts carved out last season during an impressive, unbeaten domestic campaign that produced WSL, FA Cup and League Cup triumphs.
But Chelsea are eager to remain on top and this was the perfect way to start the new campaign and remind their challengers why they have been so successful.
As they did so often last season, they soaked up some early pressure, taking their time to figure out City’s dynamic shape and where they could exploit them.
It did not take them too long to figure it out.
Greenwood clearly had no answer to Carpenter’s pace and the Australian had constant joy on the right-hand side.
Chelsea used the tactic well, continually giving Carpenter the ball and got players in the box for her to pick out. Beever-Jones, eventually, met one of those crosses with a close-range finish.
The second goal came from the same side as Wieke Kaptein’s low delivery was allowed to roll through to Hamano, who slotted past her compatriot Yamashita.
Even when Charles headed a whipped Greenwood free-kick past her own keeper, Lionesses hero Hannah Hampton, to give City a lifeline, Chelsea still looked comfortable, knowing they had impact players to come on off the bench and finish the job.