Two City Sides Triumph as Putellas Scores First WSL Goal

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 27, 2026

Manchester City maintained their flawless start to the Women’s Super League with a 1-0 win over Charlton Athletic, secured by captain Alex Greenwood’s first-half free-kick despite a rotated squad. This victory underscores City’s depth and resilience as they balance league and Champions League commitments, while Charlton remain without a point at the bottom of the table.

Manchester City extended their perfect start to the Women’s Super League (WSL) with a narrow 1-0 victory over Charlton Athletic, thanks to a first-half free-kick from captain Alex Greenwood. The match, played at Manchester City’s home ground, saw the defending champions field a significantly rotated lineup following their midweek Champions League draw against Bayern Munich.

Manager Andrée Jeglertz made five changes to the starting XI, aiming to manage player fitness ahead of a congested schedule. Despite City’s dominance in possession, their performance was somewhat disjointed, and they struggled to generate clear-cut chances against a stubborn Charlton defense. The visitors, who had conceded nine goals in their first three league matches, displayed improved defensive organization but remain rooted at the bottom of the table without a point this season.

Later in the day, London City Lionesses secured a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion to climb to second place in the league standings. The match marked a milestone for Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas, who scored her first goal in English football. With supporters from Barcelona present in the stadium, Putellas capitalized on a poor clearance by Gabby George, firing a shot that slipped through goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie’s hands.

The contest was tightly contested, with both sides struggling to create significant opportunities throughout the 90 minutes. London City Lionesses sealed the victory in stoppage time when Danielle van de Donk intercepted the ball from Brighton’s Fran Kirby, allowing Lucía Corrales to score her second goal of the campaign.

Brighton, under the management of Arturo Ruiz, who took charge just a week before the season started following the unexpected departure of Dario Vidošić, are still seeking their first victory of the season. The result leaves the Seagulls winless as they continue to adjust to new leadership.

With most WSL matches scheduled for later in the day, these two results set the tone for a competitive weekend in England’s top women’s football division.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.