Alexia Putellas scored her first Women’s Super League goal, firing London City Lionesses to a 2-0 home victory against Brighton & Hove Albion. The win lifts the club into second place in the standings.
Putellas Makes Her Mark as London City Seizes Second
Spain legend Alexia Putellas delivered a defining moment for London City Lionesses, netting her first goal in English football to help secure a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at the CopperJax Community Stadium. The milestone strike arrived in the 29th minute when the two-time Ballon d’Or winner reacted quickest to a rebounded save after Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie blocked Kadidiatou Diani’s initial effort. Putellas swerved a half-volley around her defender, slotting the ball into the net to break open a tight contest.
The victory lifts London City into second place in the WSL table, moving them above Chelsea and Tottenham ahead of the weekend’s remaining fixtures. Head coach Eder Maestre praised his captain’s overall impact beyond just her goalscoring contribution on the pitch.
Eder Maestre said that it was a relief because she was doing amazing and trying to lead the team through her captaincy, adding that he was so glad to see her scoring again, though it was not about the goal itself but rather everything she brought to the team in terms of providing her trademark quality.
Brighton nearly found an equalizer before halftime when Emily Murphy directed a header against the crossbar, but Keiko Seike was unable to sort her feet out to bundle home the loose ball. London City later sealed the three points in stoppage time during the 92nd minute. Danielle van de Donk wrestled possession away from Fran Kirby, sparking a swift counter-attack where Delphine Cascarino picked out Lucía Corrales on the left to finish emphatically past the keeper.
Building Momentum and Community Roots in Bromley
The strong start to the campaign builds on a historic opening home match at Hayes Lane—shared with Sky Bet League One side Bromley FC—where London City sold out their 5,000-seat home and defeated Manchester United for the first time. Striker Isobel Goodwin emphasized the vital role the local fanbase plays in fueling the club’s ambitions following their promotion to the top flight.
Isobel Goodwin stated that fans were extremely important to the team, noting that having them at games and having the local community present was amazing, and while everyone said it, they truly served as their 12th man, making it vital to connect with them.
Alongside teammates like Putellas, Goodwin has adjusted quickly, netting a brace the previous weekend in a 4-1 win away at Charlton Athletic.
Ambitions and Unfinished Business at the Table
The team’s primary aim is to remain unpredictable by threatening opponents through both sustained possession and direct counter-attacks.
Eder Maestre explained that within that project, they wanted to reach their target and were there to push the limits and put the players in the best position to hit it, acknowledging that while their current standing was temporary, they were dreaming big and hoped to remain in that position until the very end of the competition.
The defeat leaves Brighton rooted in 10th place with two points, still searching for their first league victory of the season as the competition intensifies.