Alexia Putellas marked her first ever goal in English football with a decisive strike that helped London City Lionesses secure a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, lifting the team into second place on the Women's Super League table. The Spanish midfielder, who arrived as the headline signing of the summer transfer window, demonstrated her class by capitalising on a rebound after Chiamaka Nnadozie initially saved Kadidiatou Diani's effort. Putellas then unleashed a half‑volley that curled around a defender and slipped past the still‑reeling Brighton keeper, giving London City an early lead. The opening half was relatively quiet, with few clear-cut chances, but Brighton threatened to level almost immediately.
Emily Murphy rose to meet a cross, only to see her header smash against the crossbar. Shortly after, Keiko Seike, who had been solid in defense throughout the match, found herself in an awkward position and failed to control a loose ball that could have provided a rebound opportunity for the visitors. In the latter stages of the game, Lucia Corrales capped off the win with a clinical finish following a swift team counter‑attack.
The move began when Danielle van de Donk dispossessed Fran Kirby, releasing Delphine Cascarino, who threaded a precise pass to Corrales sprinting down the left flank. Corrales arrived at the edge of the box and struck the ball with authority, sealing a comfortable 2-0 win for the Lionesses.
The triumph represents London City's third win of the campaign and propels them above both Chelsea and Tottenham into the coveted second spot as the season heads toward its decisive weekend of fixtures. Brighton, meanwhile, remain stuck in 10th place, still searching for their first WSL victory. After the match, captain Alexia Putellas reflected on her rebound goal: "It was a mix of a little training, a bit of instinct inside the box, and the desire to help the team. I'm very proud of my teammates.
The WSL is a new challenge for all of us, and we want to build something special here. We have to 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 break.
We have players suited to both styles, and today we proved that we can be versatile and effective." Head coach Eder Maestre praised his captain’s influence: "It's a relief to see her performing so well. She leads the squad both on and off the pitch. Scoring is great, but her overall contribution – her vision, work rate, and leadership – is what truly lifts the team." Key moments of the match were highlighted in the broadcast: at the 29th minute Putellas volleyed home the rebound for her maiden English goal; at 35 minutes Brighton came close when Murphy's header struck the bar; at 54 minutes Putellas nearly added a second, her header from Mapi Leon’s free‑kick rattling the woodwork; at 72 minutes Seike’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Elene Lete; and in stoppage time (90+2) Corrales finished a well‑crafted team move to seal the win. Maestre also commented on the overall performance: "We knew Brighton would be a tough opponent – they are fluid in midfield and difficult to dispossess.
I’m proud not only of the win but of how we earned it. We respected our identity, dominated large portions of the game, and created numerous chances. We felt comfortable and confident throughout, which is a testament to the squad’s growth." On the club’s ascent to second place, Maestre explained the mindset: "Our target is clear.
We maintain an underdog mentality – humble yet ambitious. This project aims to push limits and give players the best environment to succeed. It may be temporary, but we dream big and hope to stay at the top for as long as possible in the competition." Brighton’s head coach Arturo Ruiz offered his perspective on the defeat: "Our opponents were strong today, and the game was tight because they didn’t create many clear‑cut chances.
We were comfortable and superior in many phases, but we need to improve our composure in key moments and capitalize on the opportunities we generate." Ruiz continued: "We created several scoring chances, but we must read the momentum of both teams better. Our substitutions were intended to be more attacking, yet we failed to convert. We need to build confidence, especially after a difficult first half, and make the most of any advantage." The match also featured a reminder for viewers 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, Putellas' inaugural goal in England not only secured three points for London City Lionesses but also signalled the club’s growing ambition in the WSL, while Brighton will regroup in pursuit of their first league win.