Despite the odds being stacked against them for the majority of the season, Leicester City have secured their survival in the Women’s Super League next season.
A phenomenal comeback from Willie Kirk and his team have ensured their safety from relegation. Instead, Reading will be the team to fall to the Championship while Bristol City prepare to come up.
Here’s how the action unfolded in Leicester’s final match of the season against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Brighton vs Leicester — Starting XIs
Brighton
Walsh; Kullberg, Bergsvand, Morse, Stott, Green, Zigiotti, Robinson, Symonds, Lee, Terland
Leicester
Leitzig; Nevin, Tierney, Bott, Whelan, Howard, C Jones, Siemsen, Goodwin, Cain, Plumptre
Leicester City survive relegation
With a draw potentially enough to save Leicester, Kirk will no doubt have been happy with his team’s opening 45 minutes. Despite the first half providing no goals, the contest between Leicester and Brighton was almost perfectly balanced. With both teams managing a handful of shots, it was the Foxes who managed to create the most chances.
The tie remained level until the 73rd minute when 17-year-old Ava Baker bagged her first league goal just six minutes after coming onto the pitch. The goal virtually guaranteed Leicester’s safety, putting the foxes up into 10th spot.
The remainder of the match played out in the same manner as the first half. Despite the Foxes enjoying the slightly better run of play, Kirk’s side were unable to increase their lead but that didn’t matter. Against all odds, Leicester City have secured their survival and play in the WSL again next season.
