Alexia Putellas Shines in London City Lionesses' Victory
Alexia Putellas needed just one afternoon to show England what all the fuss is about.
The two-time Ballon d'Or winner captained London City Lionesses to a 2-1 victory over United at the Copperjax Community Stadium, launching their 2026-27 Women's Super League campaign with a performance far more dominant than the scoreline dared to admit. Owner Michelle Kang watched on, beaming from the stands, as her marquee signing took charge of a new project in a new country and made it look instantly credible.
Lionesses in control from the start
The match never really felt like a contest. United were slow, second to most duels and strangely blunt in the final third. London City were sharper, cleaner in possession and far more aggressive in their pressing.
The breakthrough came with a slice of fortune but had been coming for some time. Sustained pressure forced chaos in the United box and Julia Zigiotti Olme turned the ball into her own net, handing the Lionesses a deserved lead and underlining the gulf in intensity between the two sides.
The pressure didn’t ease after the interval. London City kept the tempo high, moved the ball with confidence and pinned United back. The second goal felt inevitable, and when it arrived it was all about craft and timing. Danielle van de Donk stole into space and produced a deft second-half flick to double the advantage and put the hosts in complete control.
United, by contrast, barely laid a glove on Elene Lete. Their first shot on target did not arrive until the 97th minute, when Simi Awujo finally beat the stand-in keeper for a consolation that flattered the visitors and did nothing to change the story of the game.
Putellas leads, but wants more
For all the control and cohesion, Putellas walked off knowing 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."
Her words matched her performance. Putellas dictated tempo, demanded the ball and set standards, yet spoke like someone who expects the bar to rise again next week. The physical edge of the WSL will test her, but she has already framed that challenge as something to outthink as much as outlast.
Maestre’s new-look side clicks early
On the touchline, Eder Maestre had every reason to be satisfied. Four debuts, three points, and a team that already looked like it understood his demands.
Star goalkeeper Mary Earps stayed on the bench, still working back towards full fitness after pre-season issues, but Lete handled the responsibility with calm assurance. United’s lack of threat helped, yet the stand-in still had to manage the game, organise a new back line and deal with the late flurry that finally produced Awujo’s goal.
Maestre, though, kept circling back to his captain when asked what had impressed him most.
"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 explained.
"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."
That word – chemistry – hung over the afternoon. London City looked like a side already buying into something bigger than opening-day adrenaline. Putellas set the tone, Van de Donk added the flourish, Lete filled a daunting role without fuss, and the rest fell into place around them.
One game into the season, the project Kang has invested in and Maestre is shaping already has a clear face and a clear voice. If this is how London City Lionesses look while they are still "learning", what will they be when that chemistry fully clicks?
