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 the side into second place on the Women's Super League ladder. The Spanish midfielder, who has been touted as the marquee signing of the summer transfer window, netted her goal after a rebound off a saved attempt by Chiamaka Nnadozie, who had initially blocked Kadidiatou Diani's effort. Putellas then executed a deft half‑volley, slipping the ball around a defender and beating a goalkeeper still regaining her footing.
The opening half was relatively quiet, with few clear-cut chances, but Brighton came close to restoring parity almost immediately. A header from Emily Murphy curled toward the far post only to smash against the cross‑bar, while Keiko Seike, who had been solid in defence, failed to control the loose ball cleanly enough to turn it into a scoring opportunity.
The match continued with both sides probing for openings, yet the decisive moment arrived later in the second half when Lucia Corrales capped the win with a composed finish following a swift team counter‑attack. Danielle van de Donk intercepted a pass from Fran Kirby, released Delphine Cascarino, who in turn threaded a precise ball to the on‑rushing Corrales on the left flank. Corrales' finish was emphatic, sealing the second goal for the Lionesses. The win represents London City's third triumph of the campaign and propels them above both Chelsea and Tottenham, securing the second spot ahead of the remaining fixtures scheduled for Sunday.
Brighton, on the other hand, remain in tenth place and continue their search for a maiden WSL victory. After the match, captain Alexia Putellas reflected on her goal: "It was a bit of training, a little bit of instinct in 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 team's philosophy is to stay unpredictable: "We can score from possession or on the counter‑attack. 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' influence beyond the goal: "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 in terms of quality and leadership." Maestre also commented on the overall performance: "We knew the game would be tough. Brighton are a very good side, very fluid in midfield, making it hard to keep possession.
I'm proud of the team not just for the win but for the way we won it. We respected our identity, dominated large portions of the match, and had plenty of chances to be even more aggressive. We felt comfortable throughout, and that comfort translated into confidence on the pitch." When asked about the club's ambition after moving into second place, Maestre explained: "Our target is to keep climbing.
We have an underdog mentality – humble yet ambitious. In this project we aim to push limits and give the players the best options to hit our goals. 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 on the defeat: "We faced a strong opponent today.
They didn't create many clear‑cut chances, but we were comfortable and superior in many phases. We need to be more comfortable in the moments when we feel good and capitalize on them. We generated several scoring opportunities, but we must read the momentum of both teams better.
We worked hard but didn't get the points. Our substitutions were intended to be very offensive, and we need to build confidence because at one point our rivals seemed afraid of losing.
After a difficult first half, we must feel the game and seize the moments." Ruiz acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized the need for resilience and tactical adjustments moving forward. Key moments of the match were highlighted in the broadcast: at the 29th minute Putellas volleyed home from a rebounded save, marking her first WSL goal; at 35 minutes Brighton almost equalised when Murphy's header struck the bar and Seike missed a chance on the loose ball; at 54 minutes Putellas narrowly missed a second goal as her header from Mapi Leon's free‑kick hit the woodwork; at 72 minutes Seike's shot was well saved by Elene Lete; and in stoppage time (90+2) Corrales finished a brilliant team move to seal the second goal.
The victory not only boosts London City's points tally but also reinforces their tactical flexibility, showing they can score both from set‑pieces and swift transitions. The team's blend of experienced internationals like Putellas and emerging talents such as Corrales and Van de Donk creates a balanced squad capable of challenging the league's traditional powerhouses. As the season progresses, the Lionesses will look to maintain their momentum, refine their defensive solidity, and continue to exploit their attacking versatility to remain in contention for the title. Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the club's upcoming fixtures and promotional activities, including the "Super 6" competition offering a chance to win £1 million, which remains open for free entry.
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