London City Lionesses stun Manchester United with debut-star power in WSL opener
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Putellas makes debut as London City beat Manchester United in season opener
- Published4 September 2026
London City Lionesses met the high expectations placed upon them in the Women’s Super League season opener, delivering a commanding performance to defeat Manchester United.
Eder Maestre’s side demonstrated that they are more than just a collection of superstars, showing signs of cohesion and tactical understanding earlier than anticipated.
Playing in front of a full house of 5,402 home fans at Hayes Lane, London City secured an impressive 2-1 victory over Manchester United.
The scoreline could have been more severe for United, as London City dominated the first half, displaying clear structure, intent, and flashes of individual brilliance.
Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas made her highly anticipated debut, anchoring the midfield, while other players also made significant impacts.
US billionaire owner Michele Kang attended the match, wearing a new match shirt with her name on the back and posing for photographs with fans before kick-off.
“It was really fun to win today,” said Delphine Cascarino, one of the many international stars in the London City squad.
“I think we have a chance to do something this season. We are trying to build something huge and achieve big things and I think we have a chance.”
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London City Lionesses beat Man Utd in WSL opener
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London City building something special with superstars
London City set the tone from the first minute, immediately showing their intent with a strike from Alanna Kennedy that won a corner.
They allowed United no time to settle, pressing from the front and exploiting the visitors’ hesitancy in possession.
Putellas was influential with her passing, Kennedy showed tenacity, and Grace Geyoro displayed quick feet, with all these elements frequently on show.
However, it was the fluidity of London City’s link-up play that truly caught the eyeβa group of superstars looking like a cohesive unit in the first game of the season.
Manager Maestre was clearly pleased with the display.
“Yeah, I think we were really strong, mostly in the first half,” said Maestre.
“We are facing Manchester United. You can’t imagine you will be dominant for the whole game because they have a lot of good players.
“The team showed how capable we are and what we were trying to create so I’m very proud.”
London City had been somewhat of an unknown entity in pre-season following the arrival of several high-profile players.
Former United and England goalkeeper Mary Earps started on the bench alongside fellow new arrival Nicole Anyomi, while Spain’s Mapi Leon and forward Rosa Kafaji began the match.
Danielle van de Donk, who had spent most of last season injured, starred and scored, while Kennedy’s header provided the opener after it deflected off Julia Zigiotti.
Putting the pieces together is the challenge Maestre has been tasked with, but Friday night was a fine start.
“It’s one of the most challenging situations for coaches when you have many talented players but you are trying to align everyone on the same page and achieve something big,” said Maestre.
“We need very good positional game and that flexibility to feel strong in a match. That is why I’m really happy with the performance.
“To have all the players on the same page and establish that relationship is really good.”
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Alexia Putellas speaks about bringing the WSL to a Spanish audience
Did they create a gap to Man Utd?
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Manchester United finished fourth in the WSL last season and reached the Champions League quarter-finals
In contrast, opponents Manchester Unitedβone of the teams London City hope to overtake this seasonβclearly needed more time to adapt to new manager Eva Olid’s methods.
When she addressed the media for the first time on Thursday, the Spaniard promised brave, attacking football and a desire to dominate possession.
But what unfolded in a painful opening 45 minutes for United supporters was a team short on confidence and lacking threat, failing to produce a single shot on target.
The second half saw improvement, but it came too late.
Indeed, United did not have a shot on target until the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time, when substitute Simi Awujo’s goal gave the scoreline a friendlier appearance.
“I always say it’s a process. In three weeks, I don’t think we can believe we are a team that will dominate the ball and attack,” said ex-Hearts boss Olid, who was appointed on 5 August.
“Of course, I think it’s more something mental. In the first half, I didn’t feel like the players were believing. At half time I said: ‘Listen, this is not us.’
“In the first half, we were forcing things, the basics in possession were wrong and we were giving them the ball to attack. That is not what we want to be.
“In the second half, we were building through the middle, playing in the pockets and moving through the lines. That is us. That felt like my team in the second half.”
Olid said it was her job to help her players believe they can be better and was defiant when asked if United could compete with the quality displayed by London City.
She attributed the difference between the two teams on the day to confidence.
“If we play as we did in the second half, I don’t think the gap is that big,” she added.
“I think the structure was wrong in attack – when the structure isn’t right, the players are lost. We fixed that but mentally, the players were not believing.
“London City pressed well and took our mistakes to create chances. They did very well in the first half but in the second half, I felt we were in the match.”
