London City beat Manchester United 2–1 in WSL opener on Putellas debut

London City Lionesses opened the 2026–27 Women’s Super League season with a 2–1 home victory over Manchester United on 4 September 2026, as Alexia Putellas made her debut for the club.

Julia Zigiotti Olme’s ninth-minute own goal put the hosts ahead at Hayes Lane in Bromley. Daniëlle van de Donk added the second with a flick in the 82nd minute, leaving United facing a two-goal deficit late in the match.

Simi Awujo pulled one back in the tenth minute of added time, but United had no time to recover. Sky Sports recorded her effort as the visitors’ only shot on target.

The sold-out fixture offered an early view of London City’s rebuilt squad. Putellas, Rosa Kafaji, Mapi León and Janni Thomsen featured, while Mary Earps and Kadidiatou Diani remained unused substitutes.

The result gave London City three points to begin the campaign and left United seeking their first points after an opening defeat.

[Source: Sky Sports match report](https://www.skysports.com/football/london-city-lionesses-vs-manchester-united-women/report/575755).