Leicester hit back in big WSL win over Bristol City

2 years ago 82

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Leicester celebrate after scoring against Bristol City

Leicester City were made to come from behind to beat Women's Super League strugglers Bristol City in a thrilling match at King Power Stadium.

The Foxes were dominant from the beginning but went behind against the run of play when Ffion Morgan dinked a misplaced Lize Kop clearance over the Leicester goalkeeper's head.

But Leicester continued to threaten in the final third and restored parity when Yuka Momiki chipped Shae Yanez from a tight angle.

Momiki's Japanese compatriot Saori Takarada bundled home from close range after Aileen Wheelan had an effort cleared off the line, but Leicester were not in the clear yet.

Bristol City forward Amalie Thestrup sent a low drive into the bottom corner after the break, but Janice Cayman fired past Yanez to restore Leicester's advantage.

A moment of quality from Jutta Rantala put the result beyond doubt when she whipped an expert finish into the top corner.

Denny Draper, 16, scored her first professional goal to make it five, tapping home from a Rantala pass.

The visitors were unable to fight back and suffered their 10th loss of the season, remaining bottom of the division and five points behind second-bottom Brighton.

Leicester are seventh with 16 points.

Reaction to Leicester v Bristol City, plus the rest of Sunday's WSL action

Bristol City undone by relentless Leicester

Avoiding relegation is the priority for top-flight returnees Bristol City, who once again did their utmost to battle and try to pick up crucial points.

They held Aston Villa to a 2-2 draw last time out, however they were unable to do enough to nullify Leicester on Sunday.

It was apparent the Vixens would have to be on the back foot from early on, with Yanez being called upon to tip efforts from CJ Bott and Rantala over the crossbar.

Cayman and Sam Tierney both sent efforts narrowly wide as Willie Kirk's Foxes relentlessly pressed in the final third.

While they lacked the finishing touch in the opening exchanges, they clicked in attack after going behind and worked tirelessly to ensure they got the better of Bristol City.

The visitors were totally overrun in the final third and struggled as Leicester pressed in numbers, and as the Foxes maintained their aggression they just could not keep up.

Leicester's final-third dominance resulted in them having 30 shots to Bristol City's six, and holding 72.1% of the possession.

After the international break, Bristol City face what could be one of their most pivotal games of the season as they take on second-bottom Brighton on Sunday, 3 March, and will need to turn things around if they are to close the gap.

Line-ups

Leicester City Women

Formation 4-3-3

23Kop
4BottSubstituted forAleat 90'minutes
14GreenSubstituted forHowardat 70'minutes
17Thibaud
11Cayman
29MomikiSubstituted forPelganderat 80'minutes
15Takarada
3Tierney
8RantalaBooked at 81mins
27O'BrienSubstituted forRoseat 70'minutes
10WhelanSubstituted forDraperat 80'minutes

Substitutes

2Nevin
5Howard
6Palmer
7Rose
12Ale
18Pelgander
20Goodwin
49Draper

Bristol City Women

Formation 5-4-1

30Yañez
2PowellBooked at 24minsSubstituted forEvansat 66'minutes
5Aspin
6ConnollySubstituted forSymeat 84'minutes
3Struck
4Layzell
24MorganSubstituted forHaylesat 66'minutes
8Rodgers
23JonesSubstituted forBullat 90'minutes
11NapierBooked at 63minsSubstituted forWardat 90'minutes
17Thestrup

Substitutes

1Bentley
9Hayles
13Clark
15Bull
16Syme
22Evans
29Ward
36Slocombe

Live Text

Match ends, Leicester City Women 5, Bristol City Women 2.
Second Half ends, Leicester City Women 5, Bristol City Women 2.
Attempt missed. Deanne Rose (Leicester City Women) left footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Jutta Rantala.
Offside, Leicester City Women. Denny Draper is caught offside.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match (Leicester City Women).
Foul by Asmita Ale (Leicester City Women).
Shania Hayles (Bristol City Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution, Bristol City Women. Jasmine Bull replaces Carrie Jones.
Substitution, Bristol City Women. Mari Ward replaces Jamie-Lee Napier.
Substitution, Leicester City Women. Asmita Ale replaces Catherine Bott.
Goal! Leicester City Women 5, Bristol City Women 2. Denny Draper (Leicester City Women) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jutta Rantala with a cross.
Sam Tierney (Leicester City Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Amy Rodgers (Bristol City Women).
Attempt missed. Deanne Rose (Leicester City Women) header from very close range is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jutta Rantala with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Leicester City Women. Conceded by Sille Struck.
Attempt blocked. Jutta Rantala (Leicester City Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Deanne Rose.
Attempt missed. Denny Draper (Leicester City Women) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Julie Thibaud.
Substitution, Bristol City Women. Emily Syme replaces Megan Connolly.
Corner, Leicester City Women. Conceded by Brooke Aspin.