Alexia Putellas marked her first appearance on English soil with a decisive goal, steering the London City Lionesses to a convincing 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion and lifting the team into second place on the Women's Super League ladder. The Spanish midfielder, who arrived as the headline signing of the summer transfer window, showcased her trademark composure and technical flair when she capitalised on a rebound after Chiamaka Nnadozie initially saved a powerful shot from Kadidiatou Diani. Putellas deftly swerved into a half‑volley, slipping the ball past a goalkeeper still regaining her balance, and tucked it home to give the Lionesses the opening lead. The match began at a measured pace, with both sides probing for openings but few clear chances emerging in the early stages.
Brighton, eager to respond quickly, came close to equalising when Emily Murphy rose to meet a cross, directing a header that struck the crossbar. The rebound fell to Keiko Seike, who had been solid in defence throughout the game, but her attempt to volley the loose ball fell short, leaving the scoreline unchanged. London City’s dominance grew as the half progressed. In the 70th minute, Lucia Corrales sealed the win with a clinical finish following a well‑executed team move.
The sequence began with Danielle van de Donk dispossessing Fran Kirby, creating space for Delphine Cascarino. Cascarino then threaded a precise pass to Corrales, who had made an incisive run down the left flank.
Corrales received the ball in stride and, without hesitation, slotted it past the Brighton keeper, extending the lead to 2-0. The win represents the Lionesses’ third triumph of the campaign and propels them ahead of traditional powerhouses Chelsea and Tottenham, securing a valuable second‑place position as the season heads into its decisive phase on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Brighton’s quest for their inaugural WSL victory continues, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table in 10th place. After the match, captain Alexia Putellas reflected on her goal and the team’s performance: "It was a bit 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." She added, regarding the second goal, "We aim to be unpredictable. We can score through possession or counter‑attacks. We have players for both styles, and today we proved that we can be versatile." Head coach Eder Maestre praised Putellas, saying, "It’s a relief because she’s doing amazing.
She’s trying to lead the team through the captaincy. I’m thrilled to see her scoring again, but it’s not just about the goal – it’s about everything she brings to the squad, the quality and leadership she provides." He also highlighted the overall team effort: "We knew the game would be tough. Brighton are a very good side, fluid in midfield, making it hard to keep possession. I’m proud of how we won, not just the result but the manner.
We respected our identity, dominated most of the match, and created several chances. We felt comfortable and confident throughout, which is a great sign for the rest of the season." Maestre emphasized the club’s ambition, stating, "Our target is to keep this momentum.
We have an underdog mentality – humble yet ambitious. We want to push the limits, give our players the best opportunities, and stay at the top of the competition for as long as possible." Brighton’s manager Arturo Ruiz offered a candid assessment of his side’s performance: "We faced a strong opponent today. They didn’t create many clear‑cut chances, but we were comfortable and superior in many moments.
We need to be more decisive in the moments we feel good and capitalize on them. We generated several scoring opportunities, but we must read the game’s momentum better.
Our substitutions were intended to be more attacking, but we didn’t convert them into points. We’re disappointed because we expected a stronger finish. After a difficult first half, we need to regain confidence and make the most of our chances moving forward." Key moments of the match included: - 29': Putellas scores her first English‑league goal, volleying home from a rebound.
- 35': Brighton nearly equalise as Murphy’s header hits the bar; Seike’s follow‑up falls short. - 54': Putellas narrowly misses a second, her header from Mapi Leon’s free‑kick rattles the woodwork. - 72': Seike’s shot is saved well by goalkeeper Elene Lete.
- 90+2': Corrales caps the win with a polished finish after a swift team break. The victory not only boosts London City’s points tally but also underscores the impact of their marquee signing, Alexia Putellas, whose experience and skill are already shaping the team’s identity.
As the season progresses, the Lionesses will look to build on this performance, aiming to maintain their high standing and challenge for the title, while Brighton will regroup and aim to secure that elusive first WSL win. The match also featured a promotional element, inviting fans to participate in a "Super 6" competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available to all viewers.