Beth Mead hails seamless Man City start after Charlton win

Mead settles quickly as City make it four wins from four

Beth Mead says her transition to Manchester City has been “seamless” after the forward helped the club preserve their perfect start to the Women’s Super League season.

Manchester City had to work hard for a 1-0 victory over Charlton Athletic on Saturday, with Alex Greenwood’s first-half free-kick providing the decisive moment. The goal was Greenwood’s first league strike since April 2024.

Although Mead did not score, she was central to City’s attacking work. She led the match for chances created with four, touches with 98 and passes in the final third with 47.

“It’s been a bit seamless fitting in, but very different players to play with; you have to get used to,” Mead told BBC Sport.

The England international said City’s possession-based style suited her, despite taking on a different role from the one she occupied at Arsenal. She also welcomed the chance to play regularly while managing the demands of a schedule that includes Women’s Champions League football.

“I’m just trying to do the right things, recover well and go again,” Mead said. “I’m trying to play as many minutes as I can. I’m never going to complain about that.”

City have opened a WSL campaign with four consecutive victories for the first time since 2019-20. They have also won 29 of their last 30 league matches against newly promoted opposition, including each of their past eight since a defeat by Liverpool in the 2022-23 season.

Jeglertz praises squad depth

Manager Andree Jeglertz made six changes to the side that defeated Liverpool the previous weekend, leaving Khadija Shaw and Lauren Hemp among the substitutes. He said the rotation was necessary with European fixtures adding to the workload, and highlighted the versatility within his squad.

Jeglertz acknowledged that City could have created more chances, but felt the changes and lack of familiarity between some players affected the team’s final pass. “You can’t say a player is a full-back because they need to be able to play in different areas,” he said, pointing to Greenwood as an example of a player who can be used effectively in multiple roles.

Despite Charlton’s stubborn defending and City’s own admission that their intensity could have been higher, the champions secured another three points and remain perfect at the top end of the early-season race.