Sitting just a point behind Everton in the Barclays Women’s Super League standings ahead of kickoff, Willie Kirk’s Leicester City would be desperate to further distance themselves from the relegation zone by recording another victory over the Toffees – who they had comfortably dispatched in the Conti Cup in midweek.
EVE: Brosnan; Holmgaard, Finnigan, Stenevik; Bissell, Galli, Wheeler, Payne; Madsen, Kühl; Snoeijs
LEI: Kop; Nevin, Thibaud, Green, Cayman; Rantala, Takarada, Tierney; O’Brien, Petermann, Momiki
Leicester City had enjoyed a bright start to the 2023/24 Barclays Women’s Super League season, emerging victorious in both of their opening matches against Bristol City and Everton – but the Foxes had failed to pick up three points since, and looked in danger of slipping down the table.
Seeking to build upon the momentum gained by a 5-1 thrashing of the Toffees in midweek, Leicester City looked to be the better side throughout the afternoon at Walton Hall Park. Elise Stenevik and Emma Bissell could have opened the scoring for the hosts throughout the first half, but the pair both spurned their opportunities.
Janice Cayman was able to punish the Toffees’ wastefulness early in the second half, dancing away from a challenge before curling the ball into the far corner with 53 minutes on the clock.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Foxes could have doubled their lead late on through Jutta Rantala, although the Finnish international saw her free-kick ricochet off the crossbar and away from the goalmouth.
After picking up an all-important three points on Merseyside, Willie Kirk’s side move up to 7th in the league table. They now sit eight points clear of the relegation zone, with a mid-table finish seemingly secured as they enter the second half of the season.
Leicester City’s next outing sees them travel to Manchester City’s Joie Stadium on February 4, while the Toffees prepare to face Chelsea at Kingsmeadow on the same day.
