Putellas opens WSL account as Greenwood keeps Manchester City perfect

Alexia Putellas scored her first Women's Super League goal as London City Lionesses beat Brighton 2-0 on Saturday, moving into second place. Manchester City remained three points clear at the top after Alex Greenwood's free-kick secured a 1-0 victory at Charlton, according to BBC Sport's match reports.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3_3l_uwkos

Putellas, a two-time Ballon d'Or winner, broke through in the 29th minute at Copperjax Community Stadium, finding the bottom corner from outside the penalty area after Brighton failed to clear. The summer signing was replaced by Maria Perez after 73 minutes. Lucia Corrales added the second in stoppage time, finishing Delphine Cascarino's cross at the end of a counter-attack.

Both sides struck the woodwork before that late goal. Brighton's Emily Murphy headed against the bar, with Kiko Seike sending the rebound wide, while Freya Godfrey's header hit the bar for London City after half-time. The hosts now have three wins in four league games; Brighton remain without a league victory and have two points.

At Charlton, Manchester City collected their fourth consecutive WSL win despite manager Andree Jeglertz making six changes. Khadija Shaw and Lauren Hemp began on the bench, and the visitors found chances difficult to create against the promoted side. They had 79% of first-half possession but needed Greenwood's set-piece to take control of the scoreline.

Grace Clinton won the free-kick around 25 yards from goal, and Greenwood converted 10 minutes before the interval. Charlton goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse had already denied Mary Fowler and later made successive saves from Gracie Prior and Clinton. At the other end, Eartha Cumings stopped Jodie Hutton's angled effort and gathered a Cassandra Korhonen header as the hosts sought an equaliser.

City introduced Shaw, Yui Hasegawa and debutante Niamh Charles with half an hour remaining. Hawa Cissoko twice blocked Shaw, who also headed wide late on. Although the champions could not add another goal, they finished with their first clean sheet of the campaign and stayed unbeaten.