FA Cup: Leicester City defeat Liverpool to make historical semi-final | OneFootball

Liverpool and Leicester met at Preston Park in the FA Cup quarter-final, and it was the Foxes who made history. A goal in each half from Finnish international Jutta Rantala took Leicester through to the semi-final for the first time in the club’s history.

Leicester had an unconventional preparation to the match, after it was announced by the club that manager Willie Kirk would not be on the sidelines. Assistant Manager Jennifer Foster and first-team coach Stephen Kirby took charge of the Foxes, as manager Kirk was ‘assisting the club with an internal process’.

Starting XIs

Leicester

Kop, Nevin, Tierney, Bott, Howard, Rantala, Whelan, Cayman, Takarada, Thibaud, Pelgander

Liverpool

Laws, Koivisto, Fisk, Fahey, Clark, Matthews, Lundgaard, Kearns, Hobinger, Enderby, Roman-Haug

The first half

Liverpool, without a home win since November, dominated possession. However, for all of their hard work, they saw multiple chances missed in the opening stages at Prenton Park. Mia Enderby looked lively but unable to finish.

In the 19th minute, Leicester made them pay. Rantala reacted quickest to Janice Cayman’s shot hitting the post, collected the rebound and fired past Laws in goal.

Liverpool continued to push forward in search of an equaliser, but the Foxes remained resolute and maintained their narrow lead at the half-time break.

The second half

The away support had more to cheer in the 63rd minute when Leicester punished Liverpool once more. Rantala led a counter-attack before striking from the edge of box and clipping the crossbar to beat Laws again. The Foxes were clinical in front of goal and sensing this was their day.

Liverpool manager Matt Beard tried to get his team back into the match by making substitutions but to no avail. The full time whistle confirmed no silverware this season for Liverpool. Meanwhile in the FA Cup, Leicester go into the semi-final draw to be held on Tuesday on a historic day for the Foxes.

What’s coming next?

Leicester fans will hope to have some resolution to the clubs managerial investigation as both teams return to WSL action next weekend. Liverpool host West Ham, and Leicester travel to Spurs.

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