Alexia Putellas helps London City Lionesses to opening-day WSL win
Former Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas celebrated her first WSL victory as London City Lionesses beat Manchester United 2-1 at the Copperjax Community Stadium.
Former Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas celebrated her first Women's Super League victory as London City Lionesses beat Manchester United 2-1 at the Copperjax Community Stadium.
New United boss Eva Olid did not have as jubilant an introduction to the English women's top flight after the hosts dominated the first half and her side failed to register a shot on target before the break.
United fell behind through Julia Zigiotti's own goal in the ninth minute from a London City corner and nearly conceded another ahead of half-time before Daniëlle van de Donk doubled the hosts' lead in the 82nd minute.
They were denied a clean sheet, however, when Simi Awujo found the back of the net in second-half stoppage time.
London City, who signed two-time Ballon d'Or winner Putellas in the summer, made history before a ball was kicked in Bromley when Eder Maestre named the first WSL opening day starting line-up without any English players.
Initially the opener, from a London City corner, looked to have been headed home by Alanna Kennedy before it was confirmed Zigiotti had in fact nodded the ball past Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
The United keeper made a good save to deny Kennedy after the break, then another from a Rosa Kafaji effort.
The sight of Lucía Corrales being carried off the pitch on a stretcher just after the hour mark was the one negative on an otherwise excellent evening for London City, who doubled their lead when Van de Donk beat Elene Lete with a skilled flick.
Awujo halved the deficit in the 10th minute of stoppage time with United's only shot on target, teed up by the impressive Delphine Cascarino.
