Leicester City 0-1 Manchester City: Foxes toppled as Citizens continue unbeaten start

With both Leicester City and Manchester City having enjoyed unbeaten starts to the 2023/24 Barclays Women’s Super League campaign, the Foxes would welcome Gareth Taylor’s side to the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

LEI: Leitzig; Thibaud, Howard, Bott; O’Brien, Nevin, Tierney, Whelan; Rantala; Petermann; Cain

MCI: Keating; Aleixandri, Greenwood, Kennedy, Morgan; Roord, Hasegawa, Angeldahl; Kelly, Shaw, Fowler

With Leicester City seemingly struggling defensively throughout the opening period, England’s Chloe Kelly took full advantage of the wide spaces to latch onto Jill Roord’s pass. Forcing a rare error from Janina Leitzig, Kelly slotted under the German shotstopper to net her second goal of the campaign thus far and put the Foxes to the sword early on.

For a team that had been praised for their strong start to the season, Leicester City’s dismal defending came as a surprise for many – but Willie Kirk’s side improved as the evening went on, with Courtney Nevin called upon to produce a sublime goalline clearance to deny City their second goal of the match.

But the Foxes emerged as a rejuvenated side in the second half, and with Manchester City struggling to capitalise on their chances as Khadija Shaw dealt with the effects of carrying a knock, the home side were able to assert their dominance.

Khiara Keating was the busier ‘keeper for lengthy spells, with her most crucial save coming as she denied Lena Petermann a potential equaliser.

Manchester City would threaten once more though following the introduction of Lauren Hemp and Jess Park, with the duo combining beautifully although Park squandered the opportunity as she failed to hit the target.

There will be no league action next weekend as the international break sees England play Belgium twice in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, but Manchester City will travel to Arsenal on Sunday, 5 November. Leicester City will travel to Liverpool on the same day.

Fourth-placed Leicester, who remain three points off the summit, are next in action when they visit Liverpool on Sunday, 5 November. City visit Arsenal earlier that day.