City edged out by late Brighton strike

Former City player Lee Geum-Min had the only goal of the game at the Joie Stadium.

It was a frustrating afternoon for City, who were unable to break down a stubborn Brighton defence despite creating a host of chances.

what happened

City started the game in fearsome fashion, with Chloe Kelly having a thunderous strike outside the box which bounced off the crossbar at just 19 seconds.

The blues’ strong start continued with Esme Morgan twice denied by the Brighton defence, while Mary Fowler also tested the reflexes of Seagulls stopper Sophie Baggaley.

But the visitors enjoyed their own set of chances, as Elisabeth Terland’s volley was blocked by Keating in the box, with our goalkeeper also saving another strike from Tatiana Pinto.

Kelly and Angeldahl were at the centre of the impressive start, their link-up play allowed them to dance through the defence as Kelly crossed the ball to Fowler whose header was just wide.

Alanna Kennedy was the next to go close for City, with a curling free kick that just skimmed the roof of the net.

The chances kept coming for the blues, with a Shaw and Fowler link-up flowing through the final third, and the shot from the Australian forcing another save from Baggaley.

But Brighton held firm with Maria Thorisdottir and Guro Bergsvand proving a fierce challenge at centre half to ensure the scores were level at the break.

City started the second half in the same vein, with Kelly bolstering down the wing before laying off a shot that was impressively blocked by the Brighton defence.

Gareth Taylor introduced Lauren Hemp in the hope that she would inspire a breakthrough, and the winger twice went close after the restart, forcing a fine save from Baggaley before firing just wide from an inviting cross.

Hemp almost became the provider with an inviting ball just evading both Kelly and Castellanos soon after.

But the blues’ plethora of chances, an opportunity opened up for the visitors to score with former City players Pauline Bremer and Lee Geum-Min combining for the latter to tap the ball home in the 81st minute on the counter attack.

Searching for an equalizer, City did not let up in our relentless press.

Hemp had the biggest chance in the second half, with her lofted effort tipped onto the bar by Baggaley and cleared quickly by the Seagulls.

Despite our best efforts, it wasn’t to be for City, but there is a chance to put things right in our next fixture.

How we lined up

Gareth Taylor made eight changes to the side that beat Liverpool 4-3 in the Continental Cup on Wednesday.

Khiara Keating sat in between the sticks, shielded by a back four of Esme Morgan, Alanna Kennedy, Captain Laia Alexidandri and Julie Blakstad.

Yui Hasegawa sat in front of the defence, with Fillipa Angledahl and Jill Roord completing the midfield.

Chloe Kelly and Mary Fowler sat on the wings, with Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw finishing the strike force.

CITY XI: Keating, Morgan, Kennedy, Alexiandri (C), Blakstad (Casaparji 69’), Hasegawa, Angledahl (Hemp 45’) Roord (Castellanos 76’), Fowler, Kelly, Shaw (Park 63’)

Substitutes: Roebuck, Houghton, Coombs, Ouahabi, Mace.

Brighton XI: Baggaley, Thorisdottir, Bergsvand, Losada (Symonds 63’), Bremer, Zigiotti, Terland (Lee 63’), Kullberg, Pinto (Carabali 45’), Robinson (Sarri 90+6’), Li (Rule 77’).

Substitutes: Evrard, Pattinson, Hawkesby, Startup

What this means

After United, Tottenham and Liverpool picked up points, City now drop to fifth place.

However, a win over United in our next fixture could propel us as high as second in the table.

Up Next

Our next fixture is a derby day clash as we travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the Barclays Women’s Super League on the 19 November.

Kick-off is at 16:30 (UK) as we aim to seize victory against our Mancunian rivals.