Putellas opens WSL account as City stay perfect

Alexia Putellas needed only one clear opening to make her mark in the Women’s Super League. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner scored her first WSL goal as London City Lionesses beat Brighton 2-0, while Manchester City continued their flawless start with a narrow but important win at Charlton.

Putellas delivers another milestone

At the Copperjax Community Stadium, Putellas showed exactly why her arrival has brought so much attention to London City. The former Barcelona star opened the scoring in the 29th minute, sliding a low shot into the far corner after finding space inside the area.

It was a composed finish, but also a symbolic one. Her first league goal in England gave London City control of a contest that Brighton had kept competitive for long periods.

Brighton threaten, but London City finish strong

Brighton nearly changed the mood before half-time when Emily Murphy rose well to meet a header, only to see it crash back off the crossbar. That moment offered a reminder that the visitors were not far away from level terms.

London City, however, stayed patient and kept pressing. Their second goal arrived in stoppage time when Lucía Corrales converted a cross from Delphine Cascarino, sealing a result that pushed the club up to second in the table.

The win underlined a strong early-season start for London City, with Putellas already looking like a player capable of deciding tight matches. As one observer put it, “Big players change the rhythm of games, and Putellas did that here.”

Manchester City keep perfect start alive

Elsewhere, Manchester City preserved their perfect record with a 1-0 victory over Charlton. Alex Greenwood proved the difference in the 36th minute, curling in a superb free-kick that settled a game City dominated without fully killing off.

Charlton, promoted this season, worked hard to stay in the contest but remain without a point after another difficult outing. City created chances to extend their lead, yet one goal was enough to secure a fourth successive WSL win.

Defending champions show control, not just quality

The match at Charlton was not a free-flowing statement performance, but it still highlighted the defending champions’ consistency. Even when they do not hit top gear, Manchester City are finding ways to collect points and keep the pressure on the rest of the league.

Greenwood’s set-piece precision was the standout moment, while the defensive shape around her ensured Charlton never found a clear route back into the game. That combination of control and efficiency is often what separates title challengers from title winners.

Early table begins to take shape

These results added further colour to the developing WSL picture. London City’s rise to second reflects both their ambition and the immediate impact of high-profile signings, while Manchester City’s unbeaten run keeps them among the earliest pace-setters in the competition.

Brighton will be left to reflect on missed chances and a strong first-half spell that did not translate into goals. Charlton, meanwhile, face the growing pressure that comes with a winless start and the realities of life in the top flight.

With new signings settling in and the title race already beginning to stretch, the WSL is shaping up quickly. Putellas has opened her account, London City are climbing, and Manchester City are still making perfection look routine.