Leicester Beaten In The League Cup By Man Utd
Strikes from Lucía García, Lisa Naalsund and Katie Zelem condemned Leicester to defeat midweek in Leigh despite captain Aileen Whelan scoring her second goal of the season, both coming at the home of the Red Devils.
Willie Kirk made four changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Brighton & Hove Albion in the Barclays Women's Super League, with the likes of Lena Petermann and Jutta Rantala dropped to the bench to make way for Missy Goodwin and Remy Siemsen. Ava Baker also made her first start of the season.
The Foxes found themselves behind a minute after kick-off when García followed up on an effort from inside the box after Sophie Howard put her body on the line to deny the initial shot.
City tried to force a way back into the game, Baker looking bright on the left wing, but before 20 minutes, the Red Devils had a second when Naalsund was sent in behind and lifted the ball over the on-rushing Janina Leitzig.
Two goals down, Leicester were given a lifeline when a loose pass from the United defence was picked up by Whelan, who took a touch and chipped Phallon Tullis-Joyce to half the deficit before the break.
Up until the hour mark, things looked quite level, with Petermann introduced into the game to try and spearhead the Foxes' attack, but daylight was gained for the home side when they won a penalty after Courtney Nevin committed a foul inside the box. Zelem converting from the spot.
Rantala was also brought into the game to try and spark a late revival for Leicester, but the Red Devils had hit their stride, and it was hard to break it. They could've had a fourth goal from another penalty but the effort from Zelem hit the crossbar and stayed out after good defending from City.
The loss at Leigh Sports Village is Leicester's first defeat in the competition and sees them remain third in Group B with five points. Man Utd currently sit at the top of the group with nine points; their rivals Man City sitting closely behind on seven.
The Foxes have one last game this calendar year, a home fixture at King Power Stadium when they welcome bottom of the table West Ham United in the WSL on Sunday afternoon (3pm GMT kick-off).