London City Lionesses kicked off their new season in style, claiming a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Hayes Lane. The match marked the debut of two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who attracted a sell-out crowd eager to witness the star-studded lineup.

The scoring opened with an unfortunate own goal by Julia Zigiotti, who, while tussling with Alanna Kennedy, inadvertently directed a header into her own net, marking the first goal of the 2026/27 campaign.

From that point, London City established control, maintaining their lead against a struggling United side. The hosts' dominance culminated in a brilliant goal from Danielle van de Donk, whose clever flick in the 82nd minute sealed the three points for London City.

Simi Awujo managed to score a late consolation goal for Manchester United, their only shot on target, underscoring the gap in performance levels between the two teams. Several new signings, including Rosa Kafaji, Mapi Leon, and Janni Thomsen, made significant contributions, while Mary Earps and Kadidiatou Diani remained unused substitutes.

Eder Maestre, the Lionesses' manager, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, emphasizing their dominance and the importance of building confidence through this win. In contrast, Eva Olid, Manchester United's manager, acknowledged the team's lackluster first half and stressed the need for a more consistent performance moving forward.

As the season progresses, both teams look to refine their strategies, with London City hoping to build momentum and United aiming to regain their form.