London City Lionesses Shock Manchester United 2-1 as Alexia Putellas Makes WSL Debut

London City Lionesses beat Manchester United 2-1 on the opening day of the Women's Super League season on Friday, with Alexia Putellas making her long-awaited debut for the club.

The match at Hayes Lane was watched by London City's owner Michele Kang, who saw her side take the lead in the first half when Julia Zigiotti turned Alanna Kennedy's header into her own net. Danielle van de Donk added a second with a clever flick less than ten minutes from time, before Simi Awujo pulled one back for United in stoppage time.

The result gives Eder Maestre's London City side a strong start to the campaign and leaves questions hanging over new United boss Eva Olid, whose first game in charge brought little of the attacking football she had promised. United had no shots on target in the first half and struggled to get any rhythm going, with London City's press causing constant problems.

Putellas, who was named London City captain this week, had a low-key first outing but still showed flashes of the quality that has won her two Ballon d'Or awards. Fellow Spain international Mapi Leon also impressed on her debut, and Kennedy was a standout in midfield. United handed debuts to Andrea Medina and Monica Jusu Bah, and although the team looked sharper after the break, it was not enough to change the outcome.

London City had other chances too. Delphine Cascarino went close more than once, and United defender Jayde Riviere was forced to clear off the line in the first half. The one downside for the home side was a nasty-looking injury to Lucia Corrales in the second half, which will be a worry going into next week.

Before kick-off, there was plenty of buzz around Putellas's arrival. She launched a new YouTube channel earlier on Friday aimed at bringing the WSL to fans in Spain, and Kang was seen greeting supporters in the stands wearing a shirt with Putellas's name on the back.

For United, the defeat raises fresh doubts about whether they can push for a Champions League qualification spot this season, especially after a quiet summer in the transfer market. For London City, after a big-money rebuild over the summer, this was exactly the kind of statement win they will have wanted to open the season.