The decisive moment came from a set piece rather than a sustained spell of dominance. Greenwood’s free-kick had the quality to settle a match in which City were unable to create the separation usually expected from the champions.
That makes the result significant beyond the scoreline. Title contenders will not control every away fixture, but they must still find solutions when the performance is short of its best. City did that through Greenwood’s delivery and protected the advantage.
Charlton had opportunities of their own at The Valley, ensuring the game remained competitive deep into the contest. Yet the Addicks could not convert those openings, and the failure to score left them with another defeat.
The current contrast is stark: City have maintained a 100 per cent record, while Charlton’s tally remains at zero. For a newly promoted or developing side, narrow losses can offer encouragement, but points are needed quickly to prevent pressure building.
City’s latest victory reinforces a familiar strength: the ability to win even when a match becomes tight. Greenwood’s set-piece quality provides another route to three points, particularly when open-play chances are limited.
The next WSL fixture will test whether City can maintain their perfect start with greater attacking authority. Charlton, meanwhile, must turn promising moments into goals if they are to claim their first point and change the early-season narrative.