Alexia Putellas marked her debut in English football with a decisive strike, guiding the London City Lionesses to a 2-0 triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion and lifting the side into second place on the Women's Super League ladder. The Spanish star, who arrived in London as the marquee signing of the summer transfer window, demonstrated why the club invested heavily in her by converting a rebound after Chiamaka Nnadozie initially saved Kadidiatou Diani's attempt. Putellas then curled a half‑volley around a defender, beating a goalkeeper still regaining her footing, to seal the opening goal.
The match began slowly, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances in the first half. Brighton, desperate to get back on track after a string of disappointing results, almost equalised within minutes of Putellas' goal.
Emily Murphy rose to meet a cross, directing a powerful header that struck the crossbar, while Keiko Seike, who had been solid in defense throughout the game, failed to control the ensuing loose ball cleanly enough to turn it into a scoring opportunity. The early drama underscored the fine margins that often decide matches in a tightly contested league. Later in the second half, Lucia Corrales completed the scoring, finishing a well‑executed team move. The sequence began when Danielle van de Donk dispossessed Fran Kirby, releasing Delphine Cascarino.
Cascarino, spotting Corrales making a run down the left flank, delivered a precise pass that found the forward in stride. Corrales took a composed touch before unleashing a powerful finish that left the Brighton goalkeeper with no chance, cementing the 2-0 scoreline.
The victory represented London City's third win of the campaign, propelling them past both Chelsea and Tottenham to occupy the league's second spot with several games still to play on Sunday. Meanwhile, Brighton's quest for their first WSL win continued, as they remain anchored in 10th place. Speaking after the match, Putellas reflected on her goal: "It was a mix of training and 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, keep being together and see how the season unfolds." On the second goal, she 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, saying, "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 nets her first English‑league goal, volleying home from a rebound. - 35' – Brighton nearly level the score as Murphy's header rattles the bar, and Seike narrowly misses a chance on the loose ball.
- 54' – Putellas nearly adds a second, her header from Mapi Leon's free kick clatters against the woodwork. - 72' – Seike's shot is well saved by Elene Lete.
- 90+2' – Corrales caps the win with a clinical finish after a superb team break. Maestre elaborated on the team's performance: "We knew the game would be tough.
Brighton are a very good side, difficult to dispossess because of the fluidity they have in midfield. I'm very proud of the team because it's not only about the win, but how we earned it. We respected our identity, dominated large portions of the match, and had the option to be even more aggressive in the final third. We felt comfortable throughout, and that confidence translated into the result." Regarding the climb to second place, Maestre said, "That's the target.
We maintain an underdog mentality – humble yet ambitious. In this project we aim to reach that goal and push the limits, giving our players the best environment to succeed. It's temporary, but we dream big and hope to stay in this position until the very end of the competition." Brighton head coach Arturo Ruiz offered his perspective: "Against such a strong opponent, we kept the game long because they didn't create many clear‑cut chances, and we were comfortable and superior in many moments.
However, we need to be more decisive when we feel the momentum shift in our favour. We generated several scoring opportunities, but we must read the flow of both teams better.
Our substitutions were meant to be very offensive, and we need to build confidence in those moments. After a difficult first half, we must feel the game, smell the chance, and make the most of it." The match also featured a reminder for fans to use the Chrome browser for an optimal video‑player experience, and a promotional note about the Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £1 million.
Overall, the win not only gave London City valuable points but also signalled that Putellas is adapting quickly to the English game, providing both leadership and a tangible goal threat that could prove pivotal as the season progresses.