Alex Greenwood's free-kick earned Manchester City a narrow 1-0 win against Charlton in the WSL.
The club captain went for precision rather than power just after the half-hour mark, and it proved to be enough to maintain Man City's 100 per cent record at the start of the 2026/27 season.
It was a David vs Goliath match-up at The Valley with the reigning WSL champions and early league leaders visiting a newly promoted side who are yet to register a point.
Man City had the clear superior quality - even after making six changes from their win against Liverpool, which saw Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw and Lauren Hemp on the bench after their midweek Champions League exploits - but Karen Hills' Addicks offered their own tests.
They had the better chances in the opening 25 minutes - Jodie Hutton forcing a leaping save from Man City No 2 Eartha Cumings - while Cassandra Korhonen also nodded an effort straight at the goalkeeper in the second half.
However, they could not spring a surprise against their illustrious opponents, who kept their first clean sheet of the season in all competitions.
While Man City did not completely overrun Charlton with chances - the Addicks also having Sophie Whitehouse to thank for some great saves - they will feel they should have added a couple more. However, one was enough ahead of huge matches against Real Madrid and Arsenal over the next week.
Analysis from Your Site' Charlotte Marsh:
"A funny game for Man City. They got the win and kept their first clean sheet, but they hardly overran Charlton.
"Did they have enough chances to win by more than one goal? Absolutely, but we have seen them play with much more fluidity and connection, scoring goals for fun.
"Then again, it was no surprise to see Andree Jeglertz make six changes with some of his starters not introduced until the second half. Not only have they had two high-intensity games against Liverpool and Bayern in the last eight days, they have the prospect of Real Madrid and Arsenal to come over the next week.
"Jeglertz will need everyone as fresh as possible, and isn't that the sign of champions that you can come away with a narrow win when you need to? And what is the point of building a squad if not to use them in such a way?
"Charlton, for their part, will be disappointed with a fourth successive defeat, but the performance was far more encouraging.
"They clearly knew where Man City's weaknesses were - they spotted the defensive spaces and were competitive in midfield - but did not have the quality to exploit it.
"There might be a reflection of 'a point there for the taking ', but that's incredibly hard to achieve against the WSL champions.
"Both Charlton and Man City will have far bigger tests to come."
24: SAVE! Cumings made leaping save to keep out Hutton after a good start from Charlton.
30: PENALTY APPEAL! Man City shout for a handball after Mary Fowler's shot hits the oustretched arm of Hawa Cissoko. However, the officials do not spot it and nothing was given.
36: GOAL! Greenwood's direct free-kick gave Man City the lead.
48: DOUBLE SAVE! Sophie Whitehouse kept out Gracie Prior's effort before recovering to deny Grace Clinton.
65: CHANCE! Cassandra Korhonen's header went straight at Cummings.
74: SAVE! Whitehouse was down low to keep out an effort from Shaw as Man City searched for a second goal.
Man City head coach Andree Jegletz:
"The most important thing coming here today was to win the game. Just seeing the players who started, those coming in, but also being able to rest others, we have a great team with lots of different qualities.
"It doesn't matter who starts, if I pick the same team or make changes, that's how it is and it's been the same against Liverpool and Bayern Munich. The players coming in have really helped to flip the game.
"Seeing the week we have ahead of us, both Real Madrid and then Arsenal, it's amazing, and having the players here and the competition for positions as starters or finishers makes training even better.
"The players have two days off, but I'm already looking forward to Tuesday when we get back together."
Charlton boss Karen Hills:
"I'm so proud of them. I think the way that we set ourselves out today, the players bought into what I was asking them to do, and I thought they delivered and executed it to the best that they can. We were playing the top team, the champions of the WSL and some unbelievable players.
"They've made changes, but that didn't affect us. It just spurred us on. To see the way that we played, the bravery on the ball, some really big performances from every single player, I thought we looked a different side.
"We looked more where we should be, and that is in the WSL. If we can play like that weekly and we can be brave on the ball when we have those moments and create those moments, I think we're in a good place, especially from where we was three and a half weeks ago."
