Leicester City

Harvey Barnes was substituted at half-time in Leicester City's 1-0 loss to Southampton, with Victor Kristiansen ruled out before kick-off following a ...

Kristiansen’s absence meant Ricardo Pereira played 90 minutes for City at Southampton, despite Rodgers previously saying the Portuguese’s game-time would have to be managed as he returns from an Achilles rupture. “It looks like he’s twisted his ankle in the challenge with James Ward-Prowse,” Rodgers said of Barnes. We didn’t think it was so bad and then he came on Friday and his ankle had swollen. He struggled through to the interval before being replaced by Dennis Praet. [Brendan Rodgers directs message to Leicester City players after Southampton loss](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brendan-rodgers-directs-message-leicester-8215638) [Brendan Rodgers asks favour of Leicester City fans after chants calling for sacking](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brendan-rodgers-asks-favour-leicester-8215662)

United Women 5 Leicester City 1 · Alessia Russo's hat-trick and strikes from Leah Galton and Lucia Garcia saw Marc Skinner's side move four points clear of ...

Leicester came out a much stronger side at the start of the second half, and got a goal back just three minutes after the restart. The striker made no mistake to restore the Reds' two-goal advantage and complete her hat-trick. The attack would not end there, however, as Thomas kept the ball in the area and found our no.23, who fired the ball into the back of the net. Meanwhile, United continued to press the opposition half, and made it 2-0 on 36 minutes. United looked totally dominant in the first half, and opened the scoring early on when Russo smashed the ball past Janina Leitzig with 15 minutes on the clock. Moments later, Ella Toone made a darting run into the box, sliding the ball to Galton.

Manchester United Women secured a comfortable 5-1 win over Leicester City in the Women's Super League on Sunday.

Towering header at the back post for the second and in the right place at the right time for the third. Maya Le Tissier - Hannah Cain had the beating of her at times on the rare occasion Leicester City got forward. Leah Galton - Key for United going forward, a lot of the creative play came through her. Often picked up space on the left and on the edge of the box and was able to carve out dangerous opportunities. Ona Batlle - Fantastic ball in for Russo to head home for the second goal of the first half. Mary Earps - Quick off her line when she needed to be and was alert to a Leicester free-kick that appeared to be creeping into the top corner.

Alessia Russo stars as Manchester United cruise to a 5-1 victory and extend the gap at the top of the table to four points ahead of Chelsea.

But from the resulting corner, Man United did restore their two-goal lead, and Russo did complete her hat-trick as she found herself unmarked at the back post to score her third. The league leaders were looking to restore their two-goal cushion, and Russo was looking for her hat-trick as she stung the gloves of Leitzig with a vicious volley. This time the Welsh winger cuts in onto her right foot but slices her shot, and her effort was well wide. Man United came into this fixture in fine form and sit top of the Women’s Super League. [Brighton](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/05/womens-football/1139645-everton-vs-aston-villa-womens-super-league-preview-gameweek-14-2023.html) and [Liverpool](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/04/womens-football/1136743-liverpool-vs-reading-womens-super-league-preview-gameweek-13-2023.html). [Ella Toone](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/24/womens-football/1138733-manchester-united-vs-durham-vitality-womens-fa-cup-preview-26th-february-2023.html) as her prodded effort was saved brilliantly by the outstretched leg of [Janina Leitzig](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/10/womens-football/1137278-liverpool-vs-leicester-city-womens-super-league-preview-gameweek-10-2023.html) to deny the English midfielder. [Martha Thomas](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/01/14/womens-football/1134653-wsl-round-up-red-devils-ramp-up-the-heat-beth-england-scores-on-debut-and-arsenal-takes-a-hit-inthe-title-race.html) slipped the ball into Russo, who calmly slots home to score her sixth WSL goal of the season. [Marc Skinner](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/26/womens-football/1138972-vitality-womens-fa-cup-round-up-a-day-of-dramatic-wins-and-heavyweight-knockouts.html) made two changes from his side’s resounding 5-0 win against [Durham](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2022/03/18/womens-football/1105576-dee-bradleys-hard-fought-journey-to-the-top.html) in the FA Cup, with [Ella Toone](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/24/womens-football/1138733-manchester-united-vs-durham-vitality-womens-fa-cup-preview-26th-february-2023.html) and Russo replacing Vilde Bøe Risa and García. [Leah Galton](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/04/womens-football/1136734-manchester-united-vs-everton-womens-super-league-preview-gameweek-13-2023.html) took the game away from Leicester and secured all three points for the home side in a relatively straightforward home performance. [East Midlands](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/03/womens-football/1136574-leicester-city-vs-manchester-city-womens-super-league-preview-gameweek-13-2023.html) side in January. [Alessia Russo](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/04/womens-football/1139519-brian-sorensen-says-united-draw-gave-everton-confidence.html) shines as league-leaders [Manchester United](https://www.vavel.com/en/data/manchester-united) cruise to a 5-1 victory over rock-bottom Leicester City to extend their lead at the top of the table and continue their unbeaten run. [Hannah Cain](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2021/03/14/womens-football/1063500-durham-0-2-leicester-city-foxes-take-control-in-title-race.html) looking the most likely to get Leicester back into the game.

United went on the attack right from the start and the first chance fell to Ella Toone, who was clean through on goal but the keeper was quick off her line.

Despite the scare early in the second half, United were dominant and Galton made it four. For just £3 per issue/£3.75 a month you’ll receive unique insights into United, straight to your inbox – before the big match and during the transfer window! She had a chance of her own but unfortunately her shot was wide. The rebound fell kindly for Russo who slotted it over the line. United needed that wake up call and responded immediately. A patient passage of play followed as Leicester tried to press high.

The backline of Hannah Blundell, Millie Turner, Maya le Tissier and Ona Batlle was protected by the pivot of Katie Zelem and Hayley Ladd. Days after winning ...

Leicester trying to attack and pull one back led to them leaving themselves exposed at the back and Garcia proved crucial to exploiting that. Just when Leicester could have tried to push on to get an equaliser, United came back into the game quickly. The United stopper was left rooted to the spot. United had a firm vice grip over the game from quite early on and a flurry of chances in the 15th minute led to Russo finally putting it into the net and finding a way past Janina Leitzig. Toone, while having the ball in midfield, played a perfect through ball to pick out Batlle’s run on the right and the Spaniard hung up a perfect cross for Russo to finish at the back post. United being poor in possession while playing out from the back had led to a couple of half-chances for the Foxes, but Skinner’s side were unharmed.