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London City Lionesses opened up their WSL campaign in dominant style with a 2-1 win over Manchester United on the opening night of the season. An own goal in the opening ten minutes from Julia Zigiotti, and a strike in the final ten from Daniëlle van de Donk were enough for Eder Maestre’s side to seal the first three points of the season. Simi Awujo pulled a goal back in the 100th minute for Manchester United, but it was only a consolation. Story of the match Zigiotti own goal gives London City the lead London City came out of the blocks fast, scoring the first goal of the new season after just nine minutes. Even with all the new signings, it was the former Manchester City midfielder, Alanna Kennedy, who pierced through the hearts of the Manchester United backline, meeting Janni Thomsen’s corner and firing a powerful header off Zigiotti for an own goal. Last season, United conceded five goals from set pieces in the WSL, and it’s safe to say they hadn’t begun the new season with much improvement. Despite an equal share of possession, London City were much superior in the opening 15 minutes, with United unable to register a shot. The visitors were nearly 2-0 down after a quarter of an hour, with Maya Le Tissier’s scuffed clearance denied from looping into her own net following some quick reactions from Phallon Tullis-Joyce. It was a very controlling first-half performance from the hosts, with Manchester United unable to get a foothold on the ball at all, managing just six touches in the opposition box compared to London City's 23. Tullis-Joyce keeps United in it Kennedy nearly doubled the lead after half-time when her effort from range forced a smart save from Tullis-Joyce, but the pattern of the game did not seem to be altering at all. The USWNT keeper was quickly called into action again, needing to deny Rosa Kafaji from long range. A bit of a deflation to what had been a perfect evening came just after the hour mark when Lucía Corrales had to be stretchered off after a brilliant performance at left back from her. Poppy Pattinson was brought on to replace the Spaniard. Alexia Putellas' first game for London City had not seen such a significant impact on the ball, but what was intriguing to see was her constant communication in build-up. Lea Schuller’s arrival into the game in the 69th minute coincided with United starting to finally put some pressure on Maestre’s side, though they were still yet to record a shot on goal. Their biggest opportunity of the evening so far arrived with 12 minutes left; Ella Toone found herself in acres of space on the edge of the area, although she somehow missed the ball completely. Jess Park followed up with a shot into the side netting for United’s first recorded effort of the game. Moments later, they came again. Toone’s free kick was attacked with a looping header by Simi Awujo, which had Elene Lete briefly worried in the London City net, though to her relief it was the roof of the net it struck. Van de Donk doubles the lead late on Van de Donk doubled the lead late on (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) Despite the pressure, London City doubled their lead with eight minutes to go; a short corner found its way to Delphine Cascarino, and it was flicked home from close range by Daniëlle van de Donk. Late Awujo strike only a consolation for United Things got nervy right at the end as Manchester United pulled a goal back as Simi Awujo struck from close range, but in the end, the hosts had done enough to secure the three points. It was still very early days for Eva Olid as the United manager, having only been appointed last month, and she may be encouraged by what she saw in the latter stages, though they will need to perform much better than that in order to get positive results.