City hand Reds their first defeat
VISITORS UNABLE TO FIND EQUALISER IN A FRANTIC FINALE
FAST-IMPROVING Leicester City inflicted a first Championship defeat of the season on Liverpool, winning 2-1 in a thrilling and competitive clash, writes John Brindley.
A frantic finale saw Liverpool throw the kitchen sink at getting an equaliser with the home side equally likely to get a decisive third goal from one of their quick breaks.
Leicester looked in control when Lachante Paul turned inside the box to lift a cross shot into the net to give them a 2-0 lead after 56 minutes.
But a mistake from goalkeeper Kirstie Levell allowed Jess Clarke to bundle in a reply two minutes later to set up an unpredictable climax.
Sam Tierney was stretchered off for Leicester and Rachel Furness and Rinsola Babajide sent efforts just wide as Liverpool tried to save themselves.
Leicester had enjoyed slightly the better of the uneventful opening quarter and edged ahead after a concerted spell of pressure in the 23rd minute.
Esmee De Graaf put over the cross and the lively Paige BaileyGayle controlled inside the box to fire a close range shot high beyond Rachael Laws.
A left wing run from Melissa Lawley produced Liverpool’s first threat shortly afterwards but City got bodies in the way to deny Amalie Thestrup. Sophie Hoard nodded Charlie Devlin’s free-kick just wide and Bailey-Gayle produced a
sharp save from Laws as City deserved their interval lead.
Leicester also remain unbeaten in the Championship from their first four games after a hardearned victory against a likely promotion rival.
Leicester striker Lachante Paul said: “It was a very transitional game with play swinging from end to end.
“I knew we had to be clinical today and we were. It was a good game and we worked very hard for that result.
“For my goal, I knew Paige (Bailey-Gayle) was going to put me through. I was looking for a slip and then to take my chance.
“We had dominated the first half
but knew they would come back at us after the break.
“When they did get a goal back so quickly, we showed our resilience when they put us under pressure.”
Liverpool manager Vicky Jepson said: “Three games in eight days took its toll on us. It took us time to adapt to the 3G pitch and we didn’t start the game well. But I couldn’t have asked any more from them than the way they came back and we were unfortunate not to get any reward for it.”
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