Leicester City 0-1 Manchester City
by Tom Coopey at The King Power Stadium for Impetus (22/10/23).
Above: Chloe Kelly (right) celebrates with Esme Morgan after scoring Manchester City’s goal yesterday. Photo: Barclays WSL.
Chloe Kelly’s early strike in the first half helped Manchester City keep their place at the top of the WSL, with Leicester City tasting defeat for the first time this season.
Two changes were made from the Leicester team that shared the point at Manchester United last weekend, with Jutta Rantala, Hannah Cain, and Julie Thibaud being introduced to the starting 11. After thrashing Bristol City last weekend, Gareth Taylor made no changes to his side.
Kelly tried her luck early on, with her effort from outside the box dragging just wide of the post. Jill Roord had an opportunity moments afterwards, with her close-range header going marginally over.
The visitors took an early lead after a rare error from Janina Leitzig, who has been so impressive for Leicester recently. A well-worked move from City saw Kelly with a shooting chance after her lay-off from Roord. The England international’s fierce strike slipped through the legs of Leitzig and into the back of the net.
The league leaders were enjoying themselves in the East Midlands, hunting for a second, Kelly nearly found another after being clean-through on goal but Leitzig stood strong this time. Despite the dominance of the away side, Leicester were not without their own chances.
Lena Petermann had a brilliant chance to draw the Foxes level. Hannah Cain slipped the German through, with her first touch setting her up nicely, but her shot didn’t match, with Khiara Keating equal to the attempt. Jutta Rantala looked to find the equaliser, but her effort was tame and into the hands of the keeper.
Leitzig was making amends for her early error, keeping her side in the game. The home side were cut open again, with Shaw’s effort denied by the foot of the former Bayern Munich goalkeeper. Australian Mary Fowler, had a go from outside the box on her left foot, going just over the bar.
Sam Tierney found herself with a half-chance, with her attempt dropped from the air going just wide. Leicester were growing into the game after a nervy start, as they hoped to find the equalising goal. With the crowd rallying them on, Willie Kirk’s girls were stringing together some nice moves. A positive direct run from Shannon O’Brien saw her make way to the byline, with Sam Tierney’s effort from close range blocked crucially by Alex Greenwood.
As the half-time whistle blew, the Foxes would have been relieved to be going in at the break at just one goal down. With the visitors 11 shots, five of which were on target, Gareth Taylor would have been frustrated not to have extended their lead after Leitzig’s early blunder.
Leicester came out of the blocks in the second half, searching for a leveller. Sophie Howard got on the end of Rantala’s cross from the corner, with the 30-year-old’s header blocked. After some hectic defending in the Manchester City box, they finally got the ball clear.
Leicester were pushing for that all-important goal, with Cain’s dangerous ball flashed across the six-yard box, just inches away from Aileen Whelan meeting it. However, there was almost a sting in the tail as City nearly found their second of the evening, if it wasn’t for the strong hands of Leitzig. Lauren Hemp looked to make an instant impact, with Letizig parrying the effort out to Jess Park, who blazed over. It should have been 2-0.
The game was opening up, with opportunities arising at both ends of the pitch. Leicester boss Kirk made his first move of the evening, with Deanne Rose replacing the captain, Whelan. Time was running out for the Foxes, as they struggled to break the deadlock for an equaliser.
Leicester were dispossessed in the middle of the park, with Yui Hasegawa playing in Shaw. Her eventual effort was pushed out by Leitzig. Whilst the home side were looking to catch City on the break to find the leveller, the Citizens hoped to grab another to give their lead some security. This led to an open second period.
Five minutes additional time were indicated, with Leicester making a final bid to try and nick a point. Hemp nearly wrapped up the victory, with her effort tipped over the bar. It was Manchester City who tasted victory at the King Power Stadium, retaining their position at the top of the WSL.
Teams: LEICESTER CITY: Leitzig, Nevin, Tierney, Bott, Howard, Rantala, Petermann, Whelan, Thibaud, Cain, O’Brien. Substitutes used: Rose (for Whelan 72’), Goodwin (for O’Brien 85’)
MANCHESTER CITY: Keating, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Fowler, Kelly, Angeldahl, Morgan, Roord, Shaw, Hasegawa, Kennedy. Substitutes used: Park (for Kelly 61’), Hemp (for Fowler 61’)
Scorers: Kelly 10’.
Referee: Farai Hallam.
Attendance: TBC.
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook. DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
impetusfootball.org 