Putellas scores first WSL goal as London City Lionesses beat Brighton 2-0

Alexia Putellas marked her arrival in English football with her first goal, leading London City Lionesses to a 2-0 victory over Brighton. The Lionesses' captain scored after collecting a rebound from a save made by Chiamaka Nnadozie, following a strike from Kadidiatou Diani. Putellas' half-volley found the net, putting her team ahead in a first half that saw limited chances for both sides.

Brighton nearly equalised shortly after Putellas' goal when Emily Murphy's header struck the crossbar. Despite their efforts, Brighton could not convert the loose ball, with Keiko Seike unable to capitalise. The match remained tense until the final moments, when Lucia Corrales secured the win for London City with a second goal during a swift team counter-attack.

Corrales' goal came after a sequence of play initiated by Danielle van de Donk, who dispossessed Fran Kirby. Delphine Cascarino then set up Corrales, who finished emphatically to round off the victory. This win marked London City's third of the season, propelling them to second place in the WSL standings, ahead of Chelsea and Tottenham, while Brighton continues to search for their first win, remaining in tenth place.

Putellas expressed pride in her team's performance, highlighting the importance of teamwork. She emphasised the need for the squad to remain united and continue pushing for success in the league. Head coach Eder Maestre praised Putellas for her leadership and contribution, noting that her scoring was a relief but that her overall impact was what mattered most.

Brighton head coach Arturo Ruiz acknowledged the difficulty of the match against a strong opponent. He pointed out that while his team created several scoring opportunities, they needed to better capitalise on their momentum. Ruiz expressed disappointment over the result, indicating that his side must improve their confidence in crucial moments to secure points in future matches.

via Sky Sports