Boss hails

Brighton and Hove Albion FC Football Sport

Dario Vidosic praised “a great win for the club” after Albion beat WSL leaders and likely champions Manchester City.

But he said there is still room for improvement going into an exciting end to the season.

Madison Haley scored twice and Kiko Seike added to her tally as Albion came from 1-0 down to win 3-2 in the WSL before 2,262 fans at the Broadfield Stadium.

There was also another influential performance in attacking areas by Fran Kirby.

Haley’s first came right at the end of a first half in which City had been the better side and might have added to Kerolin’s early strike.

But Albion were much better after the break as they opened a 3-1 lead and only a late Bunny Shaw finish caused them a few late nerves.

Head coach Vidosic said: “We still could have done a lot better but we are still talking about three points.

“That’s what I like about the group as well.

“We have to give them big compliments as well. It is easy to be on the sideline and talk and say this or that but they are all human, we are all human, and these things will happen.

“But, for the collective, for everyone to have that reaction at half-time, to come out and play and to get the rewards, I think that is something to applaud and acknowledge.

“A big congratulations to the girls and a great win for the club.”

Albion are in great heart going into a huge period which includes their FA Cup semi-final with Liverpool, a league game against Arsenal and a fixture at the Amex against Spurs.

Vidosic said: “All credit to the girls. At half-time we spoke and they came out and we looked exactly like us.

“We were on the ball, we were brave, we created big chances and scored some nice goals.

“On another day they could have had daylight at half-time but, in the second half, we could have probably done similar. It was very pleasing.”

Kerolin fired home the opener after a weak clearance by Caitlin Hayes and Shaw later hit the post with a great chance.

But Albion then showed attacking signs of their own.

Kirby was denied by a good save and Haley levelled in added time after a brilliant passing move.

She took a touch and drilled low into the corner after Kirby had laid the ball off.

Madison Haley fires home the equaliser (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

Kirby called the team into a huddle and appeared to have a few words before they went back to their own half.

The former England international then played the clever pass inside the full-back early in the second half for Japan star Seike to fire Albion in front.

Haley was a handful for the City defence and she was denied in a one-on-one before extending the lead with her second goal.

She was denied initially after a low cross from Seike, with Kirby again prominent in the move.

But the American forward reacted quickly to climb highest and head home the rebound.

Madison Haley heads home the winner (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

City were given some late hope by Shaw’s carefully angled finish from a tight angle on the half-turn and they then pressed for a leveller.

But it was Albion’s day – with better still to come.

Albion: Nnadozie; Rule (McLauchlan 45), Hayes, Minami, Vanegas; Symonds, Cankovic (Noordam 81); Olislagers, Kirby (Camacho 88), Seike (Kafaji 88); Haley. Unused subs: Baggaley, Poulter, Rayner, Tsunoda, Tvedten.