Leicester stun Brighton 3-0 in their first win of the season

Leicester City won 3-0 in a confident display against Brighton & Hove Albion in this afternoon's Barclay's Women's Super League fixture at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes secured their first win of the WSL season but still trail by four points behind Brighton and Reading.

The match started with both sides creating chances, but as the first-half progressed, Leicester began to dominate.

Just a couple of minutes into the game, Aileen Whelan slid a through ball into CJ Bott, who couldn't reach the ball before it rolled out for a goal-kick.

In the 15th minute, Missy Goodwin swung the ball into the box, but it fell to a Brighton player, whose clearance found Molly Pike on the edge of the penalty area, but her shot fired just wide of the goal.

Brighton had to make an early substitution just before the 40th minute for Brianna Visalli, who left the pitch limping; she was replaced by Dejana Stefanovic.

Three minutes later, Veatriki Sarri took a shot at the Leicester goal, but new signing Janina Leitzig caught the ball with ease.

Less than five minutes later, Leicester found the net through former seagull Aileen Whelan. The English midfielder took a shot from the centre of the box and into the bottom corner of the Brighton net.

The half ended 1-0, with Leicester looking like a different team from the side that played before the winter break.

Less than five minutes into the second-half and Sam Tierney made it two for the Foxes. The former Sheffield United defender tapped the ball into the back of the net following a free-kick that was headed on by Whelan.

Brighton made their second substitution before the 60th minute, with Daniel Carter replacing Sarri.

Six minutes later, Leicester made their first substitution of the game when Monique Robinson replaced Carrie Jones.

Robinson made it three for Leicester just three minutes after coming on, smashing the ball into the back of the net after Goodwin's shot was blocked by Jorja Fox and fell to the midfielder, who was running into the box.

Brighton made their third substitution in the 72nd minute when Maisie Symonds replaced Kayleigh Green.

Two minutes later, Tierney was booked for a foul before Leicester made their second substitution of the game as 17-year-old Ava Baker came on for Welsh international Hannah Cain.

Julia Olme had an attempt saved in the 83rd minute following a right-footed shot from outside the box.

In the 85th minute, Leicester made a double substitution as Mackenzie Smith and Erin Simon replaced Ashleigh Plumptre and Missy Goodwin.

Just one minute later, Bayern Munich loanee Leitzig made two incredible saves in front of goal to deny Symonds.

The match finished 3-0 to a confident and refreshed Leicester side.

Standings

City still remain bottom of the table but are now just four points from 10th and 11th place and a great escape looms on the horizon.

Who's next?

The Foxes face Manchester City at the Pirelli Stadium in the FA WSL Cup on Wednesday, 18th January (7 p.m. kick-off). Leicester will then face Tottenham at Brisbane Road in the Barclay's Women's Super League on Sunday 22nd January (2 p.m. kick-off).

Match statistics

• 14 shots, 3 on target

• 51% possession

• 353 passes

• 71% pass accuracy

• 12 fouls

• 1 yellow card

• 0 red cards

• 1 offside

• 6 corners