Putellas Opens WSL Account as London City Lionesses Beat Brighton 2-0
Alexia Putellas opened her Women’s Super League account as London City Lionesses beat Brighton 2-0 at Princes Park, providing the breakthrough in a match decided by the hosts’ efficiency at both ends.
The former Barcelona captain struck in the 29th minute, guiding a left-footed effort beyond Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie after giving London City the lead. It was Putellas’ first goal for the club following a 14-season spell with Barcelona.
Putellas was withdrawn after 73 minutes having dictated much of London City’s play. She completed 33 of 42 passes and repeatedly created problems for Brighton, even as the visitors held 52 per cent of possession and produced the higher expected-goals total.
Brighton had three major opportunities to draw level but could not find the finish required. London City remained compact defensively and made the game safe in stoppage time.
Cascarino and Corrales settle the contest
Delphine Cascarino made a decisive contribution after entering in the 63rd minute. Her pace immediately gave Brighton’s defence a different problem, and she later supplied the assist for Lucia Corrales to score a well-taken second goal.
The result underlined London City’s ability to win without controlling the ball for long spells, with their defensive discipline and clinical finishing proving more telling than Brighton’s territorial advantage.
Putellas embracing the WSL challenge
Putellas has described the move to England as a chance to test herself in a league where every fixture carries significance. “Moving to another league, to the WSL, is a motivation,” she said recently. “Every match is competitive. I want to experience that sort of competition in a league.”
Her involvement with the division also extends away from matchdays. This week she launched Eleven TV by Alexia, a YouTube channel with exclusive Women’s Super League broadcast rights in Spain, aimed at bringing the competition to a wider Spanish audience.
London City’s next assignment is a Women’s League Cup tie against Ipswich Town. They then return to WSL action against Tottenham on Sunday, October 4, with Putellas’ early influence giving the side momentum for the domestic schedule ahead.
