'Terrific' Brighton and Hove Albion Women soar to 4-1 victory over Leicester at the Amex

A scintillating second-half display saw defenders Maelys Mpomé and Marisa Olislagers fire home for the Albion, as Shannon O’Brien’s conversion failed to inspire the Foxes to a late comeback.

While the Leicester striker secured her second goal of the Women’s Super League (WSL) season, fellow forward Jutta Rantala should have added to her goalscoring tally in a strong early display from the visitors.

The 26-year-old’s volley was narrowly denied by a terrific reflex save from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the Nigerian soon saving a strike from O’Brien and tipping a threatening delivery over the bar.

The Seagulls then awoke from their slow start to the contest, with a volley on the stretch from Kiko Seike clipping the crossbar before Maddison Haley found the Albion their opener. The forward produced a superb dink past Janina Leitzig to clinch her first goal of the WSL campaign.

Brighton would have been disappointed to not extend their lead further before the break with right-back Rachel McLauchlan causing problems for the Foxes but directing her strike wide from inside the box.

The hosts did soon extend their advantage to two, however, when defender Mpomé fired a shot past Leitzig from the edge of the 18-yard box.

While Leicester replied through O’Brien to propose a nervy final 15 minutes to the contest, Brighton’s Olislagers denied any suggestions of a comeback as the left-back fired into the bottom left.

Eventual Player of the Match Seike got in on the goalscoring act during additional time, the makeshift striker nutmegging Leitzig after the Leicester goalkeeper initially saved Maisie Symonds’ long-range effort.

Brighton manager Dario Vidošić praised forwards Haley and Seike for leading the Albion line after striker Carla Camacho was ruled out last minute for delayed concussion symptoms.

"We had to change up her (Seike's) role in the pre-match. We tried to give her a quick crash course...

"Her and Maddie led the line. Their press was excellent, when to jump, the distances, so a lot of positives.

"She got the reward as well to score the goal which I think was the minimum she deserved. Two up top scoring goals is always a positive."

Vidošić also lauded midfielder Nadine Noordam who secured a duo assists to extend her goal contributions to four this season: "She's been excellent, she's probably one that can feel a little unlucky.

"We've had a terrific midfield where Fran has been performing, again Jele (Jelena Čanković) was exceptional. Maisie (Symonds) was also very, very good so it's hard to break in but she's been working and makes an impact when she comes on.

"And today, regardless if Fran was okay or not she was going to play. She deserved that and yeah she was terrific, two assists and probably a goal would've definitely rewarded her for all her effort."

Brighton return to WSL action after the international break as they face London City Lionesses on Sunday, December 14 (midday).