Alexia Putellas Leads London City Lionesses to Victory

Alexia Putellas needed just one afternoon to show England what is coming.

The two-time Ballon d'Or winner, armband on and eyes locked in, steered London City Lionesses to a 2-1 victory over United at the Copperjax Community Stadium as the new 2026-27 Women's Super League season burst into life. Owner Michelle Kang watched on from the stands, and her marquee signing wasted no time setting the tone for this new era.

Lionesses dominate, scoreline flatters United

The margin was one goal. The gap on the pitch looked far bigger.

London City controlled the game from the opening whistle, snapping into challenges and dictating tempo while United laboured. The breakthrough came via a slice of luck, but it had been earned by pressure: Julia Zigiotti Olme turned the ball into her own net to hand the hosts a deserved lead.

United never really recovered. Their passing stayed slow, their press disjointed. London City, by contrast, moved with purpose, Putellas constantly offering angles, demanding the ball, dragging her side up the pitch.

The pressure finally told again after the interval. Danielle van de Donk, buzzing between the lines, produced a deft second-half flick to double the advantage and effectively kill the contest. At 2-0, the Lionesses were in complete command.

United’s response? Almost nothing. They failed to register a shot on target until the 97th minute, when Simi Awujo snatched a late consolation that did little to change the story of the afternoon. The scoreboard read 2-1; the performance felt far more one-sided.

Putellas shines, but insists there is more to come

For all the control and composure she brought, Putellas was quick to stress that this was only the beginning.

"We are so happy," she told BBC afterwards. "We had a strong beginning so [we're] really, really happy. I'm still learning, it's the first game. It's a physical league. I'm the player who thinks the ball always moves faster than the legs so we're going to try to improve that kind of thing.

"It's the first game, we have to bring more improvement of course. We are going to give better and better football to our crowd. Very happy to start with three points and we keep moving."

Even while adjusting to the speed and physical edge of the WSL, her influence was obvious. She linked defence to attack, organised those around her and set standards with and without the ball. This was not yet the full force of Alexia Putellas in England. It was a glimpse.

Maestre’s new project takes shape

On the touchline, Eder Maestre had plenty to like. Four debuts, three points, and a team that already looks knitted together.

Star goalkeeper Mary Earps stayed on the bench, still working back towards full sharpness after pre-season fitness issues, but Elene Lete stepped in with assurance, slotting into a back line that rarely looked rattled.

Maestre’s post-match focus, though, circled back to his captain and the wider picture she represents.

"Alexia knows all the things that can bring to others - because it's not only the thing that she's capable of doing on the field, it's all the things that can help us," he said.

"Having this kind of player in the squad is very important because she represents the high standards and having her involved in the project [is important, because of] her performance and the leadership she can bring in terms of helping us to reach the standard [we want].

"The biggest impact is the way we played as a team, having everybody connected very well. The chemistry we are building around the players is the most important thing today."

On day one, that chemistry already looked promising. If this is London City Lionesses still learning each other’s movements, still adapting to a new superstar and a new spine, the question for the rest of the league is stark: how much more dangerous will they become once it all truly clicks?