Alexia Putellas made her Women's Super League debut as captain of London City Lionesses, leading the club to a comfortable win over Manchester United in the season opener at Bromley FC. The match marked a striking moment in London City's short history, seven years after breaking away from Millwall Lionesses, and underlined owner Michele Kang's ambition to build the club into a major force through significant investment in players and facilities, in contrast to Manchester United's comparatively modest backing under Jim Ratcliffe.

The sold-out 5,402 crowd at Bromley was close to Barcelona's average home attendance of 6,168 last season, reflecting the pulling power Putellas still commands despite the step down in stage. London City dominated from the outset, with Lucía Corrales forcing an early save from United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, before Julia Zigiotti Olme turned Janni Thomsen's ninth-minute corner into her own net under pressure from Alanna Kennedy. Putellas gave a solid if unspectacular performance, overshadowed by teammates including Kafaji and Corrales, who was later withdrawn after an injury, while United's Tullis-Joyce made further saves to prevent a heavier defeat.