Alexia Putellas marked her debut in English football with a decisive strike, guiding the London City Lionesses to a 2-0 triumph over Brighton and propelling the team into second place on the Women's Super League ladder. The Spanish midfielder, the headline signing of the summer transfer window, opened the scoring after a chaotic sequence that began with Chiamaka Nnadozie's initial save on Kadidiatou Diani's effort.
The rebound fell to Putellas, who deftly swerved into a half‑volley, slipping the ball past a goalkeeper still regaining her footing. The opening half had been relatively tame in terms of clear chances, but Brighton nearly restored parity within moments of the Lionesses' lead. Emily Murphy rose to meet a cross, directing a powerful header that struck the crossbar, while Keiko Seike—who had been solid in defence—failed to control the ensuing loose ball and could not convert it into a goal.
The early drama underscored the fine margins that would shape the rest of the match. Later in the game, Lucia Corrales sealed the win with a composed finish that capped a superb team move. The sequence began when Danielle van de Donk won the ball from Fran Kirby, releasing Delphine Cascarino.
Cascarino, spotting Corrales making a run down the left flank, delivered a precise pass that found her teammate in stride. Corrales took a calm touch before slotting the ball home, extending the lead to two goals and effectively ending Brighton's hopes of a comeback. The 2-0 result marks the Lionesses' third victory of the campaign, a win that catapults them above both Chelsea and Tottenham into the league's second spot with several matches still to play. Brighton, on the other hand, remain anchored in 10th place, still searching for their inaugural WSL win.
After the match, captain Alexia Putellas reflected on her goal: "It was a bit of training and a bit of instinct in the box. The most important thing is to help 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, keep being together and see how the season unfolds." Regarding 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 keep the opposition guessing, 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 so 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." Match highlights included: - 29' – Putellas scores her first English‑league goal, volleying home from a rebound. - 35' – Brighton almost equalises; Murphy's header hits the bar and Seike narrowly misses a follow‑up. - 54' – Putellas nearly adds a second, her header from Mapi Leon's free‑kick clatters off the woodwork. - 72' – Seike's shot is well saved by Elene Lete.
- 90+2' – Corrales finishes a brilliant team break for the second goal. Maestre also commented on the overall performance: "We knew the game would be tough. Brighton are a very good side, difficult to keep the ball from because of their fluid midfield. I'm proud of the team not just for the win but for how we earned it.
We respected our identity, dominated large portions of the match, and had plenty of options to be even more aggressive in the final third. We felt comfortable throughout, and that confidence shows in the result." On the Lionesses' ascent to second place, Maestre explained, "That is the target. We play with an underdog mentality, staying humble yet ambitious.
In this project we aim to reach that goal and push the limits, giving our players the best chances to succeed. It's a temporary position, but we dream big and hope to maintain it deep into the competition." Brighton head coach Arturo Ruiz offered his perspective on the defeat: "Against such a strong opponent we played a long, tactical game because they didn't create many clear‑cut chances, and we were comfortable and superior at several moments. However, we need to feel more at ease during the periods when we are performing well and capitalize on those moments.
We generated several scoring opportunities, but we must read the momentum of both sides better. Our substitutions were intended to be very attacking, and we need to build confidence because at one point our rivals seemed fearful of losing. After a difficult first half, we must regain belief and seize the moments that come our way." Both coaches emphasized the importance of mental resilience and tactical flexibility as the season progresses.
The Lionesses will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures, while Brighton will aim to regroup and find the breakthrough they have been seeking. The match also featured a promotional note inviting fans to participate in a "Super 6" competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available to all viewers.