Our women's team picked up their second statement victory inside a month with a scintillating 3-2 victory against champions-elect Manchester City.
The Citizens headed to Broadfield Stadium knowing victory would take them to within two points of the WSL title, yet they were put to the sword by a Fran Kirby-inspired Seagulls side that battled back from a goal down to run out deserved winners.
Two goals from Madison Haley – her first brace for the Albion – and a fine effort from Kiko Seike – netting in her fourth consecutive WSL game – made the difference against the table-toppers, with Kirby having a huge hand in all three goals.
The performance was a mirror image of the epic 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory last time out at Arsenal, where the Kirby-inspired Seagulls grew into the game, and it again showed the immense potential that exists in Dario Vidosic’s side.
Despite a three-week break from action, Albion were looking to build on their head-turning winning against the Gunners but what played out, however, was a blistering start from the visitors, who saw Aoba Fujino hit the side netting inside the opening minute.
Kiko Seike makes it 2-1 with her 11th goal of the season. 📷James Boardman
Kiko Seike makes it 2-1 with her 11th goal of the season. 📷James Boardman
City continued on the front foot, overturning the ball a number of times in Albion’s final third, and they broke the deadlock on five minutes when in-form striker Kerolin – who had initially won the ball back as the Seagulls attempted to play out from the back – netted with a cool finish from the edge of the box.
City’s next attack saw Kadija Shaw hit a post with a low strike from outside the box but it wasn’t all one-way traffic. Indeed, Albion had a chance to equalise on nine minutes when Seike’s low cross from the right was met by Kirby, but her deft effort was well saved by keeper Ayaka Yamashita from close range.
An injury to keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, following a clash with Shaw, gave the hosts time to regroup, but it was the City striker who created the game’s next chance when she broke free from Moeka Minami only to drag her effort wide.
Yet while the scoreline remained at 1-0, there was always hope for the Seagulls. Seike was finding space on the right and another pinpoint ball into the box was narrowly missed by the onrushing Haley. The Japanese international also pounced on a poor pass out from Yamashita soon after but her resulting effort sailed over the bar.
Kerolin missed a golden chance to double City’s lead when she latched onto a reverse pass from Shaw only to see her effort beaten out by the feet of Nnadozie.
Jelena Cankovic leads the celebrations with Madison Haley after the American striker's first-half equaliser. 📷James Boardman
Jelena Cankovic leads the celebrations with Madison Haley after the American striker's first-half equaliser. 📷James Boardman
The visitors were then made to pay for their profligacy on the stroke of half-time when a superb six-player passing move cut through the heart of the City side. It culminated in a wonderful touch from Kirby into the feet of Haley, who sidestepped her marker before coolly tucking home her sixth goal of the season.
With their tails up, Albion took the lead just two minutes into the second half. Kirby was again the chief protagonist, releasing Seike down the right, and instead of teeing up a teammate this time, Albion’s leading goalscorer cut inside the box before firing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net – her 11th goal of a hugely impressive season.
Haley also had a chance to net her second on the hour mark, only to be foiled by the feet of the onrushing Yamashita, while at the other end, Nnadozie got down well to save Fujino’s low drive.
The Seagulls then made it three on 65 minutes when another superb ball from Kirby released Seike. She then passed inside to Haley, whose initial close-range effort was saved by Yamashita. The ball then spun up into the air but it was the Albion forward who showed great determination, despite the attention of two City defenders, to head home the rebound.
Madison Haley heads home to make it 3-1. 📷James Boardman
Madison Haley heads home to make it 3-1. 📷James Boardman
With five minutes remaining, Shaw set up a grandstand finish, hitting a first-time effort across Nnadozie and into the corner of the net.
With seven minutes of injury-time called, sub Rosa Kafaji saw a close-range effort saved, and the Seagulls saw the game out to record a historic first win against City on home soil.
Albion:Nnadozie, Rule (45 Mclauchlan), Hayes, Minami, Vanegas, Haley, Symonds, Cankovic (Noordam 81), Olislagers, Kirby (Camacho 88), Seike (Kafaji 88).
Subs not used:Baggaley, Poulter, Rayner, Tsunoda, Tvedten.
Attendance:2,262.