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In what was a feisty afternoon in West Sussex, Brighton picked up their second win of the Women's Super League season, beating Aston Villa 4-2.
After Rachel Daly had put Villa ahead, Brighton responded to head into half time ahead, thanks to goals from Nikita Parris and Pauline Bremer.
Daly would bring the tie level from the penalty spot minutes into the second half, but the game was turned on its head in the latter stages of the second half, as Paula Tomas was sent off for Villa after elbowing Kiko Seike.
Fran Kirby would convert the resulting penalty, and Arsenal loanee Michelle Agyemang would put the game beyond doubt deep into stoppage time.
Poppy Pattinson was sent off for the hosts in stoppage time, but thankfully for them, it mattered not in the end.
The result lifts Brighton up to second in the table, while Villa drop to ninth and remain winless in the WSL.
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Story of the Game
Brighton manager Dario Vidosic made one change from their last WSL game, which was a 1-0 defeat away to Manchester City. Opening day hero Kiko Seike dropped to the bench, with Nikita Parris making her first league start for the Albion.
Aston Villa’s team was straightforward, as manager Robert de Pauw made no changes from their last league game, which they drew at home to Tottenham.
There was also a record-breaker in the Villa side, as Jordan Nobbs played in her 193rd WSL game, overtaking Sophie Ingle in becoming the league’s all-time appearance maker.
While the season may only be a couple of games old, both teams have received plaudits for trying to implement a new modern style to their game, which revolves around playing out from the back.
When it works, it’s genius, but when it doesn’t, it can leave you flat-footed, as Brighton found out early in the first half.
Trying to build through the phases, they were caught out by Kirsty Hanson, who proceeded to burst into the box and square the ball across to Rachel Daly, who had the easiest of finishes. That’s two in two now for the former Lioness.
Instead of playing with their heads down, Brighton roared back and found an equaliser a minute later. Maria Thorisdottir’s cross was hooked back expertly into a dangerous area by Poppy Pattinson, and there at the right place at the right time was Nikita Parris, who tapped in her first goal for the club.
That equaliser seemed to settle the Seagulls, who began to control the game. Half chances fell to Parris and Vicky Losada, but both saw the ball fly high and wide.
However, they would find their second goal seven minutes before the break. Parris got the better of Kenza Dali in midfield, and after a lung-busting run into dangerous territory, the former Red Devil slid the ball into Pauline Bremer, who found the far corner.
Villa almost equalised through Hanson, but Sophie Baggaley made a fine stop to make sure it was Brighton who went into the break ahead.
Having looked relatively comfortable in the first half, Brighton shot themselves in the foot as Guro Bergsvand fouled Anna Patten in the area, leaving the referee no option but to award Villa a penalty.
Up stepped Daly, who sent Baggaley the wrong way and brought the Midlands club level.
The Villains looked more assured after restoring parity, but while they controlled the possession and the tempo, they couldn’t threaten the Brighton goal.
Then, out of nowhere, a moment of madness. A rare Albion attack led to a cross being floated in towards Kiko Seike, who was elbowed in the head by Paula Tomas. A red card was brandished towards the Spaniard, and now the hosts had an opportunity to convert from the spot.
After a long delay, the ever-reliable Fran Kirby sent Sabrina D’Angelo the wrong way, and for the second time, put Brighton ahead.
You would think the player and goal advantage would give Brighton the confidence they needed to see out the game, but that wasn’t the case.
Lucy Staniforth took aim from 30 yards out, and Baggaley had to be wise to tip her effort onto the bar.
Ten minutes of added time wouldn’t have done much to eradicate the nerves around the Broadfield Stadium, and Pattinson’s being sent off for a second yellow didn’t help much either.
What would help is a fourth Albion goal, and that came in the 97th minute. Beating her marker for pace, the on-loan Michelle Agyemang darted into the box and fired the ball past her former teammate D’Angelo.
It wasn’t straightforward, but it’s the second win in three games for the Seagulls.
Next up for Brighton is an away trip to arch-rivals Crystal Palace, while Aston Villa return to Villa Park to take on Leicester City.
Player of the Match: Poppy Pattinson
Pattinson is quickly establishing herself as a threat in this Brighton team.
Playing in that wing-back role, she is not afraid to go forward and join the attack, but she is also more than capable of fulfilling her defensive responsibilities. Even though she received a second yellow deep into stoppage time, it didn’t take away from what was a great performance. If she carries on putting in these kinds of displays, it won’t be long until she’s in the England team.