LONDON — Alexia Putellas scored her first goal in English football as London City Lionesses beat Brighton and Hove Albion Women 2-0 in the Barclays Women's Super League on Saturday. The 2-0 victory at home sent London City second in the WSL table ahead of Sunday's remaining fixtures.
Putellas, the biggest signing of the summer, broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. Chiamaka Nnadozie initially saved Kadidiatou Diani's strike, but Putellas collected the rebound and swerved a half-volley around her defender to beat the still-recovering goalkeeper. It was the first real chance of a first half short on opportunities. Brighton almost equalised instantly when Emily Murphy's header curled onto the crossbar, but Keiko Seike could not sort her feet to slot home the loose ball. Putellas almost doubled her tally in the 54th minute when her header from Mapi Leon's free kick pinged off the woodwork, and Seike saw a 72nd-minute shot saved well by Elene Lete.
Lucia Corrales sealed the win in the second minute of stoppage time, finishing a sweeping team break to make it 2-0. Danielle van de Donk stole possession from Fran Kirby and released Delphine Cascarino, who picked out the incoming run of Corrales on the left for an emphatic finish.
The result gives London City their third win of the season and lifts them above Chelsea and Tottenham into second place. Brighton remain 10th and their wait for a first WSL win this season goes on.