London City Lionesses kicked off their glittering new chapter in the Women's Super League with a convincing 2-1 victory against Manchester United, setting the tone for the 2026/27 campaign. The match, played at the intimate Hayes Lane stadium, was highlighted by the debut of two‑time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, whose arrival attracted a sell‑out crowd eager to see the Spanish superstar in action. However, the first goal of the season came in an unexpected way: a defensive mishap by United defender Julia Zigiotti.
While contesting a cross from midfielder Alanna Kennedy inside the penalty area, Zigiotti inadvertently redirected a header into her own net, gifting London City an early lead. From that point onward, the Lionesses seized control of the encounter. Their midfield, orchestrated by the newly arrived Putellas and supported by fresh faces such as Rosa Kafaji, Mapi Leon, and Danish forward Janni Thomsen, dictated the tempo and kept United on the back foot. The home side’s defensive shape remained compact, limiting United’s chances and forcing them into long‑range attempts that rarely troubled the keeper.
The most striking moment came in the 82nd minute when Dutch veteran Danielle van de Donk produced a piece of magic: after receiving the ball on the right flank, she performed a deft flick that slipped past the United back line, doubling the Lionesses’ advantage and effectively sealing the three points with less than ten minutes remaining. Manchester United managed to pull one back in stoppage time. Substitute Simi Awujo, who had been introduced late in the second half, slotted a consolation goal with the final kick of the match, marking United’s sole shot on target. The late strike underscored the gulf in quality between the two squads, a gap that London City now appears poised to widen thanks to the depth of talent now at their disposal.
The match also featured several notable incidents. At the 49th minute, Rosa Kafaji forced a spectacular save from United goalkeeper Tullis‑Joyce with a powerful long‑range effort, highlighting the Lionesses’ attacking intent. In the 64th minute, United midfielder Lucia Corrales suffered an injury after clutching her shoulder, forcing her off the pitch and further disrupting United’s rhythm.
The game’s timeline, as recorded by the official commentary, reads as follows: - 9' GOAL! Zigiotti's own goal gives London City the lead - 49' SAVE! Kafaji forces a good save from Tullis‑Joyce with a long‑range shot - 64' INJURY! Lucia Corrales goes off injured while clutching shoulder - 82' SUPERB!
Van de Donk's flick doubles London City's lead to seal three points - 90+10' CONSOLATION! Awujo grabs late goal with United's only shot on target London City Lionesses manager Eder Maestre praised his side’s performance, emphasizing the importance of starting the season with a win to build confidence. "Starting with a win is very important to keep building confidence," he said. "We were dominant throughout the game and deserved this victory.
I hope this result sets the tone for the upcoming fixtures. That's the identity we want, and I'm very proud of the team.
Sometimes you need to take risks, and the togetherness we displayed will be crucial moving forward. We're one step closer to hitting our targets, and I’m excited and happy." United’s coach Eva Olid expressed disappointment with her side’s first‑half display, noting that the team had not executed the principles they had been training on. "None of us are happy with the first half.
We were not us," Olid admitted. "In halftime I told the players we needed confidence, belief, and a desire to win the ball. There was a change in the second half, but it wasn't enough – you need 90 minutes of that intensity, not just 40 minutes." The match also featured a promotional message encouraging fans to play the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, underscoring the club’s efforts to engage supporters beyond the pitch.
Overall, the Lionesses’ star‑studded lineup, combined with tactical discipline and an early lucky break, delivered a performance that not only secured three points but also signaled the arrival of a new era in London women’s football, with owner Michele Kang watching proudly from the stands.