Putellas opens her account as London City climb to second
Alexia Putellas is off the mark in England. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner scored her first Women's Super League goal as London City Lionesses beat Brighton 2-0 at home on Saturday 26 September. The win lifted London City to second in England's top division. The Guardian
She struck in the 29th minute. Putellas found a yard of space and drilled a low shot into the far corner. It was clean and decisive. It was also her first goal since her summer move.
Brighton refused to fold. Just before half-time Emily Murphy met a cross with a firm header that thumped back off the crossbar. A few inches lower and the afternoon feels very different.
London City held their nerve. Then they finished the job in stoppage time, the added minutes at the end of the game. Delphine Cascarino burst wide and crossed for Lucia Corrales to score the second. Two-nil. Game over.
What makes this stand out is the scorer. Putellas left Barcelona in the summer to join London City. For supporters still getting to know this team, a goal from its most decorated arrival is a shared moment. It was the sort of strike that gets replayed on phones on the way home.
Form is building too. London City arrived off a 4-1 victory over Charlton, according to BBC Sport. Back-to-back wins have turned a promising start into a genuine push near the top.
Above them, Manchester City keep setting the pace. The defending champions won 1-0 away to Charlton at The Valley to make it four league wins from four. Four played. Four won. No points dropped. Manchester City
Alex Greenwood settled a tight game. The City captain stepped up in the 36th minute and curled home a free-kick, a direct shot at goal given after a foul. Charlton stayed compact and worked hard. One moment of quality undid them.
Promoted Charlton remain bottom without a point after the defeat. City had extra reason to smile as Mary Fowler reached 100 appearances for the club. For fans, the message is simple. The champions are not blinking, and the chasers will have to keep winning to stay with them.
