Manchester City edge Brighton in first home win

Manchester City Women kicked off their home campaign in the 2025/26 Barclays Women’s Super League season against Brighton & Hove Albion Women.

Both teams worked hard on the pitch to try and secure three points to stand them in good stead for the season ahead. Neither City nor Brighton had a win in the opening weekend, so this was a test of resilience and ambition under the lights at the Joie Stadium.

First half

The game kicked off with a high, attacking press from Manchester City as they headed towards the goal early on. A great save from goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie denied City from an early lead.

Having retained possession, Madison Haley showed some impressive hold up play to travel up the pitch, seeking a goal for the Seagulls. However, after losing possession this gave Manchester City an advance on goal after a great run from Leila Ouhabi, who managed to find Vivianne Miedema in the final third: this was later deemed offside.

Although the Seagulls looked brighter in the opening minutes, the Blues captain, Alex Greenwood remained calm and composed to block consecutive shots from the opposition.

Staying fierce, Miedema looked through on goal while taking her time. Controversy struck from a rough collect of the ball from Nnadozie, which sent the forward with a tumble. However, there was no penalty awarded.

Nnadozie quickly dispersing the ball out allowed possession to end up in the young UEFA Women’s EURO winner, Michelle Agyemang’s path. With an excellent shot on goal, she was denied was blocked by keeper, Khiara Keating, but eventually the rebound ended up at the feet of Fran Kirby. The former Lioness slotted it past the City backline to take the lead.

Manchester City wasted no time however, as they were back on the counterattack trying to keep possession. Some positive runs from Lauren Hemp almost brought them back into the match.

The first half ended with a score of 1-0 to Brighton. Manchester City unable to seek an equaliser in the first forty-five minutes. Having fought battles in midfield to regain possession, both teams headed down the tunnel with a mindset of improvement with a fierce second half ahead.

Second half

Manchester City came out hungry for an equaliser, with Swiss signing, Iman Beney immediately creating a positive run down the wing. However, her shot ended up wide. This was one of her many impressive movements along the flank.

Khadija Bunny Shaw managed to slot her header behind the keeper to become Manchester City’s first goal scorer of their 2025/26 campaign, as their only goal against Chelsea was an own goal. The stadium erupted as the fans celebrated the fan favourite’s goal.

Both teams pushed for a winning goal with determination to move up the table. Unfortunately for the away side, Rachel McLaughclin was forced off after needing treatment. With fresh legs on, Brighton needed to step up with a key player facing a substitution. City faced a similar injury scare with striker, Shaw requiring treatment. Luckily, she was able to continue.

Women’s Copa America winner, Kerolin Nicoli made her first feature of the season with fresh energy and a determined mindset. Her impact was clear as the team surged towards the goal.

After a few shots on target and a need to drop back, an excellently planned run from Hemp travelled into the final third. The ball eventually reached the feet of Yui Hasegawa who managed to put City on top.

From this point, the home crowd encouraged a solid performance from Andrée Jegerletz’ side. They were sharper on the ball and constantly urging to increase their lead; however, a tight Brighton defence kept the opponent’s pressure at bay.

Brighton looked desperate to attain something from the match, bringing fresh legs onto the pitch: loanee, Rosa Kafaji and Spanish youngster, Carla Camacho being two of them. They brought a newfound energy to push for a goal, but this was not enough to find an equaliser in the dying minutes.

Players of the match were given to Kerstin Casparij for her solid defensive movement and forward runs along the flank, and to Beney for a promising performance on her first WSL start.

Looking ahead

The win for Manchester City meant they were able to gain their first points this season. Now, they must focus on their next challenge of Tottenham Hotspur away, where they can apply their positive attacking movements and possession football. Spurs are currently the only team to have not conceded in their WSL campaign yet, so City must be ruthless in attack to score past Martin Ho’s solid defence.

Brighton will have a similar attitude as they head into their next challenge of West Ham United. Despite some promising play, they look to improve on their weaknesses and secure three points against the Hammers, yet to receive any points in the WSL.