WSL: Leicester hold on in 5-goal thriller to deny Brighton a stunning comeback | OneFootball

The King Power Stadium was treated to a goal-fest on Sunday as Leicester City denied Brighton and Hove Albion a late comeback into their 3-2 win. The home fans witnessed three first half goals from their side for the first time this season.

Leicester banked their fourth Women’s Super League win of the campaign, putting six points between them and bottom-of-the-table Crystal Palace. Goals from Shannon O’Brien, Saori Takarada and Shana Chossenotte put the Foxes comfortably ahead at half-time. However, an inspired display from Brighton almost ended in a sensational comeback.

Thanks to a world class save from Janina Leitzig in the eighth minute of stoppage time, Leicester hung on for another vital win.

Starting lineups

Leicester City

Leitzig; Tierney, Howard, Takarada, Cayman, Ale, Thibaud, Cain, O’Brien, Chossenotte, Swaby

Brighton and Hove Albion

Loeck; Thorisdottir, Pattinson, Bergsvand, Parris, Kirby, Norrdam, Symonds, Olislagers, Haley, Mclauchlin

Leicester hit Brighton for three in first half

Leicester City started brightly, with Chossenotte enjoying a lot of the ball down the left. But they couldn’t capitalise and faced solid defending from the experienced Maria Thorisdottir for Brighton. However, a high press from Leicester saw them overturn the ball in the Seagulls’ half. Out of nothing, with home fans urging her to shoot, O’Brien smashed the ball beyond the diving Melina Loeck to make it 1-0.

Brighton saw more of the ball after that and enjoyed some good link-up play between Lionesses duo Nikita Parris and Fran Kirby. However, the Foxes defence stood firm. Julie Thibaud covered a lot of ground in the first half for Leicester, who had a new look backline in for this match featuring Jamaica international Chantelle Swaby. Leicester went for the experience of previous Champions League winner Janice Cayman, alongside Sam Tierney and Takarada in the middle of the park, without the injured Lioness Ruby Mace.

Leicester City made it 2-0 after a great through ball from Tierney found Hannah Cain, who brilliantly delivered to an unmarked Takarada for the second goal.

The Foxes had well and truly sunk their teeth into the Seagulls, who did not seem the vibrant attacking team we have come to expect this season. There was even time for a Leicester third before the break. Tierney played another great ball in added time, looping to ball once again to Cain, who found Chossenotte.

Brighton almost spark sensational comeback

Leicester continued their press in the second half and limited Brighton mainly to shots from outside the box. O’Brien came close to bagging her second of the match, but she skewed wide after being played through on goal.

Leicester looked to have entered ‘park the bus’ territory after 70 minutes and as the game lulled for spectators to catch their breath, Madison Haley took the opportunity to strike from the edge of the area and it landed perfectly in the bottom corner to give Brighton a lifeline.

After her goal, Haley gave away a penalty following a shove on Leicester’s Tierney. Yuka Momiki stepped up with the change to but the game to bed but fired her spot-kick wide of the post. The belief rose that Brighton could snag a result.

Just minutes later, the Seagulls were awarded a penalty of their own. Following a foul on Parris, Kirby dispatched her effort from the spot with less than ten minutes to go.

However, Madison Haley then turned villain on 76 minutes, as a ball into the Brighton penalty area saw Sam Tierney take a shove in the back and the Then, in a frantic nine minutes of extra time, Leitzig was again called into action. The German shot-stopper made a world class save, diving to tip Poppy Pattinson’s goal-bound shot from the edge of the area.

Leicester celebrated their third win in a row on home soil for the first time in their history. Brighton will be disappointed with a lacklustre first half showing — they dug deep in the second half but couldn’t get anything from the match. The latest WSL sees the Seagulls stay in fifth place, while Leicester secure their place in tenth.

Coming up next

Leicester City next face fellow WSL strugglers Tottenham at the King Power Stadium. Meanwhile, Brighton return home to face Manchester City in their next WSL clash. Both matches will be played on Sunday March 30th, with kick-off scheduled for 14:00 GMT.

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