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How London City proved they can live up to the hype - Published There was an expectation on London City Lionesses to live up to the hype and deliver in the Women's Super League's season opener - and they did. Eder Maestre's side showed they are not just a starting XI of superstars but a team who may gel quicker than many expected. They came away from Hayes Lane, in front of a full crowd of 5,402 home fans, with an impressive 2-1 victory over Manchester United. The scoreline could have been worse for United as London City dominated the first half and showed flashes of individual brilliance, amid a clear structure and intent. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas made her debut and was the glue in midfield while others stole the limelight. US billionaire owner Michele Kang was also present, donning a new match shirt with her name on the back and posing for photos with fans before kick-off. "It was really fun to win today," said Delphine Cascarino, one of 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." London City building something special with superstars The tone was set in the first minute by London City, immediately showing their intent with a strike from Alanna Kennedy in the first minute that won a corner. They allowed United no time to settle, pressing from the front and taking advantage of the visitors' hesitancy in possession. A flick from Putellas here and there, tenacity from Kennedy and quick feet from Grace Geyoro were all frequently on show. But it was the fluidity of London City's link-up play that caught the eye - a group of superstars looking like a good team in the first game of the season. Surely it pleased manager Maestre? "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 were a bit of an unknown entity in pre-season given the arrival of several big-name players. Ex-United and England goalkeeper Mary Earps started on the bench alongside fellow new arrival Nicole Anyomi but Spain's Mapi Leon and forward Rosa Kafaji started. Danielle van de Donk, who spent most of last season injured, starred and scored, while Kennedy's header brought the opener when it deflected off Julia Zigiotti. Putting the pieces together is the challenge with which Maestre has been tasked 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." Did they create a gap to Man Utd? In contrast, opponents Manchester United - one of those London City hope to overtake this season - clearly need more time to adapt to new manager Eva Olid's ways. 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 transpired in a painful opening 45 minutes for United supporters was a team short on confidence and lacking threat, failing to produce a shot of any kind. 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, substitute Simi Awujo's goal giving the scoreline a friendlier look. "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 said the difference between the two teams on the day was down 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."
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