London City climb to second with first Putellas strike in England

Alexia Putellas scored her first goal in English football as London City Lionesses beat Brighton & Hove Albion Women 2-0 at Hayes Lane Stadium in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

The biggest signing of the summer opened the scoring in the 29th minute, volleying home after Chiamaka Nnadozie parried Kadidiatou Diani’s strike. Putellas swerved a half-volley around her defender to beat the still-recovering goalkeeper for her first WSL strike.

The first half lacked many clear chances, although Brighton nearly equalised instantly after the opener. Emily Murphy’s header curled onto the crossbar and Keiko Seike, who was impressive defensively, could not sort her feet out to slot home the loose ball.

Key moments

• 29′ GOAL! Putellas – First English goal, volleying home from a rebounded save.
• 35′ ALMOST! – Brighton nearly equalised, Murphy’s header hit the bar before Seike almost missed the loose ball.
• 54′ CLOSE! – Putellas almost scored her second, but her header from Mapi Leon’s free kick pinged off the woodwork.
• 72′ SAVE! – Seike’s shot is saved well by Elene Lete.
• 90+2′ GOAL! Corrales – Lucia Corrales finished off a fine team break for London City’s second.

Corrales rounded off the victory late on, finishing a wonderful team move. Danielle van de Donk stole the ball away from Fran Kirby, releasing Delphine Cascarino, who in turn picked out the incoming run of Corrales on the left, who emphatically finished.

London City’s third win of the season sends them above Chelsea and Tottenham into second ahead of the remaining games on Sunday, while Brighton’s wait for a first WSL win this season goes on. The Seagulls remain in 10th.