Alexia Putellas marked her debut in English football with a decisive strike, guiding the London City Lionesses to a 2-0 victory over Brighton and catapulting the team into second place in the Women's Super League standings. The Spanish star, heralded as the most high‑profile signing of the summer, capitalised on a rebound after Chiamaka Nnadozie initially saved Kadidiatou Diani's attempt. Putellas then executed a deft half‑volley, slipping past a defender and beating a goalkeeper still regaining her footing.
The opening half of the match was relatively quiet, with few clear-cut opportunities. Brighton, however, threatened to level the score almost immediately after the opening whistle. Emily Murphy rose to meet a cross, directing a powerful header that struck the crossbar, while Keiko Seike, who had been solid defensively throughout the game, failed to control the ensuing loose ball cleanly enough to finish. Later in the game, Lucia Corrales sealed the win with a composed finish, completing a well‑orchestrated team move.
The sequence began when Danielle van de Donk dispossessed Fran Kirby, creating space for Delphine Cascarino. Cascarino quickly released Corrales, who had made a timely run down the left flank, and Corrales slotted the ball home with confidence. This third win of the season lifts London City above both Chelsea and Tottenham, securing the second‑place spot as the league heads into its final round of fixtures on Sunday. Brighton, on the other hand, remain rooted in tenth place, still searching for their inaugural WSL triumph.
After scoring, captain Alexia Putellas reflected on her goal: "It was a mix of training and instinct inside the box. The most important thing is to help the team… I’m extremely proud of my teammates. The WSL is a new challenge for everyone, and we want to build something special here. We’re on the right path, we must keep pushing, keep working together, and see how the season unfolds." Speaking about the second goal, Putellas added, "We aim to be unpredictable.
We can score from possession or on the counter‑attack. We have players for both approaches, and today we proved that we can keep opponents guessing." Head coach Eder Maestre praised his captain, stating, "It’s a relief to see her performing so well.
She’s leading the squad both on and off the pitch. I’m delighted she found the net again, but her contribution goes far beyond a single goal – she brings quality, leadership, and a winning mentality to the entire team." Key moments of the match were highlighted in the broadcast: - 29′ – GOAL! Putellas nets her first English‑league goal, volleying home from a rebound.
- 35′ – ALMOST! Brighton’s Murphy heads the ball onto the bar, narrowly missing an equaliser. - 54′ – CLOSE!
Putellas’ second‑half header from Mapi Leon’s free‑kick rattles the woodwork. - 72′ – SAVE!
Seike’s attempt is comfortably saved by Elene Lete. - 90+2′ – GOAL! Corrales caps off a superb team move, securing the second goal for London City.
Maestre also commented on the overall performance: "We anticipated a tough contest; Brighton are a technically gifted side, especially in midfield, making ball retention a challenge. I’m proud not only of the win but of the manner in which we achieved it. We respected our identity, dominated large portions of the game, and created numerous chances. We felt comfortable throughout, which is a testament to the squad’s growth." On the club’s ascent to second place, Maestre explained, "Our target is clear.
We maintain an underdog mentality – humble yet ambitious. This project aims to push boundaries and give our players the best environment to succeed.
It’s a temporary position, but we dream big and hope to remain contenders until the final whistle of the season." Brighton’s head coach Arturo Ruiz offered his perspective: "Our opponents were strong today, making it a lengthy contest. Although we struggled to create many clear‑cut chances, we were comfortable and superior in several phases.
We need to improve our reading of the game’s momentum and convert our opportunities more efficiently." Ruiz added, "We generated several scoring chances, but our execution fell short. Our substitutions were intended to be more attacking, yet we couldn’t find the confidence to capitalize. After a difficult first half, we must regain belief and seize the moments when they arise." The match also featured a promotional note encouraging fans to participate in a Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available.
Overall, the win not only showcases Putellas’ seamless adaptation to the English game but also highlights London City Lionesses’ growing cohesion and tactical flexibility. Their ability to blend possession‑based play with swift counter‑attacks makes them a formidable opponent as the WSL season reaches its climax. With momentum on their side and a solid defensive foundation, the Lionesses are poised to challenge for top honors, while Brighton will look to regroup and chase their first league victory in the coming weeks.