Alexia Putellas marked her first ever goal in English football with a decisive strike that helped the London City Lionesses secure a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, lifting them into second place on the Women's Super League table. The Spanish midfield maestro, who arrived in London as the headline signing of the summer transfer window, displayed her trademark composure and technical brilliance when she turned a rebounded save into a half‑volley that slipped past the Brighton goalkeeper, who was still regaining her footing after the initial save. The opening half of the match was relatively quiet, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances.
The first real opportunity came when Brighton’s forward Kadidiatou Diani unleashed a shot that was initially blocked by goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The ball rebounded to Putellas, who instinctively swiveled and struck a half‑volley that curved around a defender and found the back of the net, giving the Lionesses an early lead and confirming her arrival as a genuine threat in the league. Brighton responded almost immediately, seeking an equaliser.
Midfielder Emily Murphy rose to meet a cross and headed the ball with power, only to see it crash against the crossbar. The rebound fell to Japanese defender Keiko Seike, who had been impressive throughout the game with her disciplined defensive work.
Seike, however, could not find the proper footing to control the loose ball and missed the chance to level the score. The second half saw London City dominate possession and continue to press forward. In the 90th minute, Lucia Corrales capped off a well‑executed team move by finishing a brilliant breakaway. The sequence began when Danielle van de Donk intercepted the ball from Brighton’s star forward Fran Kirby, quickly releasing Delphine Cascarino.
Cascarino, spotting Corrales making a run down the left flank, delivered a precise pass that allowed Corrales to slot the ball home emphatically, sealing the 2-0 win. This third win of the season for London City catapulted them above both Chelsea and Tottenham, positioning them firmly in second place as the league heads into its final round of fixtures on Sunday.
Brighton, on the other hand, remain stuck in 10th place, still searching for their first WSL victory. After the match, Lionesses captain Alexia Putellas reflected on her goal: "It was a bit of training, a bit of instinct inside the box.
The most important thing is helping the team… I’m very proud of all the players. It’s a new challenge for everyone in the WSL because we want to build something special here. We’re on our way, we have to keep pushing, keep working, stay together and see how the season unfolds." Speaking about the second goal, Putellas added: "We try to be unpredictable.
We can score from possession or on the counter‑attack. We have players for both styles, so our main aim is to stay unpredictable, and we achieved that today." Head coach Eder Maestre praised his captain’s influence: "It’s a relief because she’s doing amazing. She’s trying to lead the team through the captaincy. I’m glad to see her scoring again, but it’s not just about the goal – it’s about everything she brings to the squad in terms of quality and leadership." Key moments of the match were documented in a minute‑by‑minute recap: at 29 minutes Putellas volleyed home from a rebounded save; at 35 minutes Brighton nearly equalised when Murphy’s header hit the bar; at 54 minutes Putellas’ second attempt struck the woodwork; at 72 minutes Seike’s shot was saved by Elene Lete; and in stoppage time, Corrales finished the second goal.
Maestre also highlighted the tactical battle: "We knew the game would be tough. Brighton are a very good side, hard to dispossess because of their fluid midfield. I’m proud of the team not just for the win but for how we won it. We respected our identity, dominated much of the game, and had chances to be even more aggressive in the final phase.
We felt comfortable throughout, and I’m really proud of the players." Regarding the club’s new second‑place standing, Maestre explained the mindset: "Our target is to keep pushing. We have an underdog mentality – humble yet ambitious. In this project we aim to reach the top, we’re here to test limits and give the players the best chance to hit that target. It’s temporary, but we’re dreaming big and hope to stay in this position until the end of the competition." Brighton head coach Arturo Ruiz offered his perspective on the defeat: "We faced a strong opponent today and the game turned long because they didn’t create many clear‑cut chances, yet we were comfortable and superior in many moments.
We need to feel more at ease in the moments we’re doing well and capitalize on them. We generated several scoring opportunities, but we must read the momentum of both teams better – that’s our main takeaway. We worked hard but didn’t get points." Ruiz added that the team’s substitutions were intended to be more attacking, but the execution fell short: "Our changes were meant to be very offensive, and we need to generate confidence. At one point our rivals seemed afraid of losing, they weren’t comfortable with a 1‑0 lead and weren’t looking for a 2‑0.
After a difficult first half, we need to feel that confidence and seize the moments." Overall, the match showcased London City’s growing cohesion, tactical flexibility, and the impact of a world‑class player adapting quickly to the English game. With Putellas now on the scoresheet and the squad demonstrating resilience and ambition, the Lionesses appear poised to challenge for the title as the season reaches its climax.
The next fixtures will test whether they can maintain this momentum and convert their strong start into a sustained challenge for the championship.