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 the runner‑up spot on the Women's Super League ladder. The Spanish midfielder, who was the headline signing of the summer transfer window, capitalised on a rebound after Chiamaka Nnadozie initially saved Kadidiatou Diani's early attempt. Putellas then executed a deft half‑volley, slipping past a defender and beating a goalkeeper who was still regaining her footing, to slot the ball home. The opening half of the match was relatively quiet, with few clear-cut chances, but Brighton came close to restoring parity almost immediately after the opening goal.
Emily Murphy rose to meet a cross, directing a powerful header that struck the crossbar, while Keiko Seike, who had been solid in defence throughout the game, failed to control a loose ball that could have given the visitors an equaliser. Later in the second half, Lucia Corrales sealed the win with a composed finish following a swift team counter‑attack.
The move began when Danielle van de Donk won the ball from Fran Kirby, quickly releasing Delphine Cascarino. Cascarino, spotting Corrales making a run down the left flank, delivered a precise pass that allowed Corrales to finish emphatically, extending the lead to 2-0.
The triumph represents London City's third win of the campaign and propels them above both Chelsea and Tottenham, securing second place as the season heads into its final weekend of fixtures on Sunday. Brighton, on the other hand, remain stuck in 10th place, still searching for their inaugural WSL victory. Captain Alexia Putellas reflected on her rebound goal, saying: "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 in the WSL for everyone 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 that the second goal demonstrated the team's desire to be unpredictable: "We can score through possession and on the break. We have players for both styles, so our main aim is to be unpredictable, and we achieved that today." Head coach Eder Maestre praised Putellas, noting, "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 – the quality, the leadership, the experience." Key moments of the match were highlighted in the broadcast: at 29 minutes, Putellas volleyed home from a rebounded save; at 35 minutes, Brighton nearly equalised when Murphy's header hit the bar and Seike missed a chance on the loose ball; at 54 minutes, Putellas' second header from a Mapi Leon free‑kick struck the woodwork; at 72 minutes, Seike's effort was saved by Elene Lete; and in stoppage time (90+2), Corrales completed the second goal after a well‑orchestrated team break.
Maestre also commented on the overall performance: "We knew the game would be tough. Brighton are a very good side, difficult to dispossess because of their fluid midfield. I'm proud of the team not just for the win but for the manner in which we earned it. We respected our identity, dominated large portions of the game, and had plenty of opportunities to be even more aggressive in front of goal.
We felt comfortable throughout, and that confidence shows in the result." Regarding the club's ascent to second place, Maestre explained, "Our target is to stay competitive. We adopt an underdog mentality – humble yet ambitious. In this project we aim to push limits and give our players the best chances to hit our goals. It's a temporary position, but we dream big and hope to maintain it until the very end of the competition." Brighton’s head coach Arturo Ruiz offered his perspective on the defeat: "Against such a strong opponent we endured a long, tactical battle.
They didn't create many clear‑cut chances, and we were comfortable and often superior in many phases. However, we need to become more confident in the moments when we feel good and capitalise on them. We generated several scoring opportunities, but we must read the momentum of both sides better – that is our main takeaway today. We worked hard but left without points." Ruiz added, "We are disappointed because our substitutions were intended to be very attacking.
We need to generate confidence, because 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 must feel the momentum and seize 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 with free entry. The victory not only boosts London City’s league standing but also underscores Putellas' growing influence in the WSL, as she adapts to English football and begins to deliver the decisive contributions that made her a star in Spain.
The team's blend of experienced internationals and emerging talent suggests they could remain a formidable force as the season draws to a close, challenging the traditional powerhouses and adding excitement to the league’s final stretch.