Somehow I don’t think that went as planned. Let’s start by going three goals down to lull them into a false sense of security and then we’ll come roaring back to win in the dying moments. Well all of that happened – except the winning part. A classic game of two halves, there was redemption for some, despair for others, but once again the Albion started an away game colder than a snowman’s unmentionables – and just couldn’t recover.

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For a full recap of the match action courtesy of Bruce Talbot you can head over to the Albion website HERE. Match highlights are available on the official WSL YouTube channel HERE.

The SheGulls Summary

Brighton & Hove Albion

• I don’t know why, I don’t know how to fix it, but there have been multiple away games this season where the team we’ve seen at home look like they never stepped off the bus. Last week, thankfully, it was a spell of about 15 minutes, and when the players found their rhythm they went on to dominate the game. Against Leicester we weren’t so fortunate.
• On this occasion that same period was punctuated by a goal from Shannon O’Brien (11′) after Guro Bergsvand misplaced a pass straight to the Leicester midfield. Though she recovered, her subsequent attempt to cut the ball out fell straight to O’Brien who drove a hard shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. Not a sequence of play the Albion captain will want to remember any time soon.
• Time for a fightback? Well, not really. In fact between Leicester’s first and second goal (35′) Brighton had just two shots and didn’t have any for a spell of around 20 minutes straight.
• Let’s talk about the second goal then. This time a poor pass from Poppy Pattinson handed Leicester the ball on the halfway line. A smart ball out wide set Hannah Cain off down the right wing and she was allowed far too much time and space to get her cross in. Cue the appearance of a completely unmarked Saori Takarada on the six-yard box to volley in a simple finish. Just really poor all round, I hate to use this word, but there’s no other word to sum it up – it was sloppy.
• At this point, it didn’t really look like Brighton had an answer to the question Leicester had posed them. The Foxes essentially went low block and counter – and it worked – repeatedly. The one thing you cannot do against a team utilising that ‘kick and run’ style is let them get multiple goals ahead, because then they can just keep everyone behind the ball and frustrate you.
• Then comes the third goal just before half-time. Cain is set away down the right again, this time in behind the defence with nobody to put pressure on her cross. The ‘corridor of uncertainty’ is more associated with Cricket, but if there is one on football, Cain put her ball right along it. Melina Loeck came out and got a small touch, but only onto the foot of an onrushing Shana Chossenotte. The two collide along with Rachel McLauchlan, but the ball trickles over the line. Penny for Dario’s team talk at the break 3-0 down.
• Things did improve in the second half, but to recover a three goal deficit was always going to be an uphill battle. The Seagulls needed a goal immediately to stand a chance, but unfortunately it wouldn’t come until the 73rd minute when a sweet strike from Madison Haley got one back in similar fashion to O’Brien’s goal in the first half. Same foot, same finish, same corner, same net.
• Just as soon as we had a faint glimmer of hope though, referee Amy Fearn awarded Leicester what might have been the softest penalty I’ve ever seen. Softer than a cloud made of marshmallows, kitten fur, candy floss and freshly fallen snow. Actually, soft sort of implies there was at least some justification, albeit small, to give the decision – which there wasn’t – so I recant that statement.
• Fortunately for the Albion, Yuka Momiki shot wide from the resulting spot kick. No harm, no foul I suppose, but the decision was indicative of a poor second half from the officiating team.
• Brighton were actually awarded a penalty of their own just three minutes later, when Nikita Parris got in front of her defender and went down under a heavy challenge. Fran Kirby stepped up and, with trademark aplomb, despatched the ball into the net after sending Janina Leitzig the wrong way. 3-2 in the 81st minute and with plenty of injury time looming, we all started to believe the comeback was on.
• The team battled to the end and had some decent half-chances, but it just felt like too little too late and ultimately they just gave themselves too big a mountain to climb. Another result to chalk up to experience.
• The defending in the first half just wasn’t good enough. It’s probably as poor a half of football I’ve seen from the defensive unit this season and that includes the 5-0 loss to Arsenal. Far from getting those out of our system, these issues keep rearing their ugly head and I fear it’s time for some changes come the offseason.
• They weren’t helped by a thoroughly disjointed forty-five from the rest of the team, who repeatedly gave the ball away and allowed Leicester to execute their gameplan from source. To put it all on the defence isn’t fair – after all, the best way to keep your opponent away from your box is to spend more time near theirs.
• The second half was much improved, although the Albion being on the front foot was a given with Leicester simply needing to protect their three goal lead. I just wish the way we often play when losing – aggressive, risk-taking, high energy – we played from the get go. It can be done, we did it when we played Chelsea, so what has changed? Why can’t that performance be replicated? Is it as simple as just being away from home?
• Whilst the stats would have you believe that Brighton outplayed Leicester for large parts of the game, this isn’t an accurate reflection of what happened. If I had to sum it up using an analogy I’d say we were playing a game of Monopoly where we had a lot of properties, but didn’t get a set to start developing on until it was too late. Leicester got Park Lane and Mayfair early and went to town building their properties, waiting for the Albion to land on those spaces – which they did – three times.

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Leicester

• I was actually pretty impressed by Leicester to be honest – their game plan worked perfectly and even though they faded under pressure late on, ultimately they deserved the win. Given that their two most potent attacking threats have been out almost all season (Lena Petterman and Jutta Rantala), their star new signing (Noemie Mouchon) did her ACL, and arguably their brightest prospect was also out injured (Ruby Mace) – they did remarkably well.
• Far be it from me to play football manager, but they have some key players that are on contracts which expire this summer. If I were the Albion I’d have my eye on one or two who could come in and really strengthen our squad.

Other Business

• I’m going to talk about the officiating here as I don’t think it ended up affecting the outcome of the game and so doesn’t deserve to make the headlines. However, after an anonymous first half (which is a positive thing we should remember) the referee decided to do a 180 degree heel turn in the second and start intervening in everything. Not only were most of the decisions inconsistent at best and incorrect at worst, but the one to award a penalty to Leicester was absolutely baffling. Something has to start being done moving forward – to help the referees as much as anything else – and enable them to do a better job.
• Is it considered bad form to mention that the referee of a Leicester game is from Leicestershire? Not sure. Doesn’t seem appropriate at this level of sport though does it?
• Our Claire took a minibus of fans up to the King Power and I know a few others made the trip independently. Thank you for representing us all so well – we heard you loud and proud as always – despite the result.
• If I have to see that bloody Skoda advert again, I’m going to actively root for Mary Earps and Alex Greenwood to start ahead of Hannah Hampton and Millie Bright forever and always.

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For more in-depth analysis of this game please do check out the SheGulls Podcast, recorded Monday night, released Tuesday/Wednesday – where we’ll also have a preview of the upcoming home game against Manchester City.