League Cup: Leicester City 5-1 Everton Women - 24th Jan 2024

Everton concluded their League Cup campaign with a 5-1 defeat to Leicester City at The Pirelli Stadium.

Sam Tierney, Deanne Rose, Missy Goodwin, Jutta Rantala and a Shannon O’Brien penalty completed the scoring for the Foxes, who claimed victory on Wednesday night.

Hanna Bennison reduced the deficit deep into injury time when she tapped home with the last kick of the game.

Brian Sørensen made six changes to the side who were narrowly defeated by Arsenal on Saturday.

The hosts threatened early and forced Courtney Brosnan into a fine save with three minutes on the clock. Aileen Whelan fed the ball to Yuka Momiki on the left-hand side of the area. The Japanese international released a powerful strike at goal that was met by the fingertips of Brosnan.

The shot-stopper was called into action again four minutes later as the Foxes had more success down the left. O’Brien found space inside the box and attempted to curl the ball past the ‘keeper, but again it was the 28-year-old who came to the rescue.

A loud gasp went around the Pirelli Stadium as Leicester squandered a golden opportunity to break the deadlock on 11 minutes. A backpass from Elise Stenevik was intercepted inside the area by Whelan. The 32-year-old rushed her effort though, with the relieved Brosnan collecting the ball.

O’Brien and Momiki troubled the Blues’ backline throughout and combined well to provide Rose a shooting opportunity. The Canadian was denied by the palms of Brosnan, who tipped the ball over the bar.

Leicester’s pressure was too much, and the deadlock was broken on 18 minutes. Tierney swept home a low cross from the right to reward the Foxes’ domination.

Willie Kirk’s side doubled their advantage two minutes later as Rose headed home from close range. O’Brien found space down the right once more and sent a lofted cross into the danger area where the forward nodded in.

O’Brien extended Leicester's lead on 27 minutes as she converted from the spot.

On the stroke of half-time, Tierney saw two strikes at goal saved to deny her a brace. She latched onto a hopeful through ball, but was met by the outrushing Toffees’ number one, who found herself in the thick of the action seconds later to deny Leicester a fourth before the interval.

Goodwin made it four shortly after the break, making an instant impact after being substituted on. Played in by Saori Takarada, she calmly slotted in.

The hosts were awarded a second penalty with ten minutes remaining after Goodwin was fouled, but Brosnan guessed correctly and gathered down her right side.

However, moments later the hosts made it 5-0. A deflected Rantala strike from outside the area crept into the bottom right corner.

In the dying seconds, Bennison scored a late consolation goal to cap off a great team move. Megan Finnigan's low-cross from the right flank was met by the Swede, who placed the ball past Lize Kop..

Attention now turns to Sunday, as the Blues return to Walton Hall Park for the first time this year to face Leicester in the Women's Super League.

Everton FC