Tag: Brighton women

Categories
FA Cup

Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final Match Preview: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester City 

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Wembley Stadium Arch | photo taken from @wembleystadium on X

After a two-week break from the Women’s Super League, the biggest game in the calendar returns to Wembley Stadium, rounding off the 2025/26 season. Brighton reached the final for the first time in the club’s history but for Manchester City their last success in the competition was in 2020, and will return to Wembley for the first time in four years. 

Last time they faced each other: 

They faced each other in the Women’s Super League where Brighton won 3-2, ruining the leaders early title celebrations. Goals from Madison Haley and Kiko Seike helped the seagulls get the three points against the eventual winners as Kerolin and Khadija Shaw helped reduce the deficit. 

Starting 11’s from that game: 

Brighton: Nnadozie, Rule, Hayes, Minami, Vanegas, Seike, Cankovic, Symonds, Olislagers, Kirby, Haley. 

Manchester City: Yamashita, Casparij, Rose, Knaak, Greenwood, Blindkilde Brown, Hasegawa, Fujino, Kerolin, Hemp, Shaw. 

Brighton & Hove Albion: 

Last Game in the FA Cup: The Seagulls came from behind against Liverpool, away from home as they won 3-2 with substitute Nadine Noordam scoring the winner in the fifth minute of added time. Liverpool were 2-0 up within 22 minutes with goals from Denise O’Sullivan and Beata Olsson but goals from Manuela Vanegas and Madison Haley helped them get to 2-2. 

Starting 11: Nnadozie, Vanegas, Minami, Hayes, Rule, Olislagers, Cankovic, Symonds, Kirby (Noordam 89’), Seike, Haley. 

Unused Subs: Baggaley, Mpome, Kafaji, Rayner, Tvedten, Camacho, McLauchlan, Tsunoda. 

Form and Route to the FA Cup Final: 

Brighton came in during the fourth round proper, hosting Nottingham Forest from WSL2, winning 2-0 before drawing West Ham United away from home. They then won 2-1 against their WSL oppositions in the fifth round proper, and moved onto the quarter final stages. They then travelled to Arsenal where the home side was expected to win, with Brighton being the underdogs of the fixture. They won 2-0 and were later drawn out against Liverpool.  

Celebrations in the Semi-final versus Liverpool | Photo taken from @bhafcwomen on Instagram

Manchester City: 

Last Game in the FA Cup: Coming from behind against Chelsea, the Cityzens won in extra time after goals from Mary Fowler and Khadija Shaw forced it into an extra 30 minutes. Opening goals from Erin Cuthbert and Sam Kerr forced Manchester City to find goals in hope for a double success, with Khadija Shaw scoring the winner in the 103rd minute. 

Starting 11: Keating, Rose, Greenwood ©, Ouahabi (Fowler 85’), Casparij (Beney 66’), Hasegawa, Blindkilde Brown (Lohmann 99’), Hemp, Clinton (Fujino 66’), Kerolin (Coombs 120+3’), Shaw (Murphy 120+3’). 

Unused Subs: Cumings, Wienroither, Prior. 

Form and Route to the FA Cup Final: 

Manchester City also came in during the fourth round proper where they travelled to AFC Bournemouth from the FAWNL who were having a good run prior. The WSL side won 6-0 and were drawn against WSL2 outfit Sheffield United, in front of their home fans. The side won 4-0 and then was drawn away against another WSL2 side in Birmingham City, winning 1-0 and later playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. 

Grace Clinton in their last FA Cup clash versus Chelsea | Photo taken from @mancitywomen on Instagram

Categories
WSL

Liverpool get points on the board despite a late equaliser from visitors Brighton

photo taken from @BHAFCWomen on X

Rosa Kafaji denied Liverpool’s first win of the season after her stoppage time strike despite Beata Olsson’s opener for the reds. 

Brighton opened up the chances as both Jelena Čanković and Carla Camacho made Faye Kirby in goal react well to keep her side in it. It was a bright start for both teams with both looking lively throughout but it was Liverpool who got the opener as Beata Olsson got her second WSL goal of the season. 

26 minutes in, Sam Kerr found Lily Woodham just inside the Brighton half with her first time cross finding Olsson in the 6 yard box and her effort rolls into the back of the net.

Since Liverpool’s opener, the hosts continued to pile on the pressure with Chiamaka Nnadozie keeping her visiting side in with a chance. Brighton found Liverpool struggling from the back on the half hour mark with them capitalising on it but Faye Kirby reacted on a double occasion. 

Rounding off the first half was two shots from Fuka Nagano and Sam Kerr but both long distance strikes found the crossbar. 

The second half started as they meant to go on with Liverpool continuing to find a two goal cushion. Attempts from Fuka Nagano and Risa Shimizu saw Chiamaka Nnadozie react quick and kept her side in with a chance. 

After the hour mark, Brighton turned it around with chances from Maisie Symonds, Fran Kirby and Kiko Seike made the Liverpool defence nervous. On the other end, Ceri Holland saw Nnadozie off her line by some distance, had a shot but it ended off target. 

Rosa Kafaji had the final attempt of the game with it ending Liverpool’s chance of their first win of the season. Nadine Noordam found the loanee in the box around 12 yards out and her first time strike found the back of the net past the keeper. 

Despite Liverpools hope of their first win, they remain in 11th place after West Ham also got a point in their game with Brighton in 8th. Liverpool next face Chelsea on Sunday with Brighton hosting Leicester.

Teams: 

Liverpool: 

Starting 11: Kirby, Woodham, Fisk ©, Clark, Shimizu, Kerr, Nagano, Enderby, Kapocs, Holland (MacLean 79’), Olsson (Kiernan 78’). 

Unused Subs: Borggräfe, Evans, Laws, Lundgaard, Silcock, Szymczak.

Goals: Olsson (26’) 

Yellow Cards: Kirby (88’), Shimizu (73’), Nagano (72’), Kapocs (90+2’) 

Brighton: 

Starting 11: Nnadozie, Olislagers, Minami, Hayes (Mpome 78’), Rule (Vanegas 88’), Čanković, Symonds © (Noordam 88’), McLauchlan (Haley 63’), Kirby, Seike, Camacho (Kafaji 63’). 

Unused Subs: Auée, Baggaley, Carabalí, Tsunoda. 

Goals: Kafaji (90+2’) 

Yellow Cards: Seike (34’)

Categories
WSL

Brighton & Hove Albion Signings: Everything you need to know

Mayles Mpome 

Brighton & Hove Albion have secured the services of French defender Mayles Mpome. The 22-year-old joins the club after a season with Chelsea, where she was part of the domestic treble-winning squad, making eight appearances in all competitions. Before her time in England, Mpome was a key player for Montpellier, where she became a regular starter and made over 70 appearances.

On the international front, Mpome has consistently represented France’s youth teams, from the U-17s to the U-23s, highlighting her talent and potential. Her consistent selection for the French youth teams and a call-up to a senior squad camp earlier in 2025 suggest she is a promising prospect for the future.

Rosa Kafaji – (On loan from Arsenal)

She signed a long-term contract for the Gunners in 2024 but spent the majority of last season on the bench due to Arsenal’s stacked midfield. She’s made 10 appearances for Arsenal, scoring twice. 

Kafaji is the future of Sweden. She made her debut in 2023, subbing on against Italy in a 1-1 draw. Since then, she has made 12 appearances for Sweden and scored twice. She was set to appear at the women’s Euros, but unfortunately, she was ruled out of the competition due to an ankle injury. But is sure to perform for Brighton this season. 

Carla Camacho

Carla Camacho’s arrival is a great addition for Brighton & Hove Albion, as the club secures a promising young forward for the Women’s Super League. Camacho, who previously played for Orcasitas and Atlético de Madrid, spent four seasons at Real Madrid, where she was promoted to the first team. Her experience at one of the world’s biggest clubs provides her with a strong foundation to build upon as she begins a new chapter in English football.

On the international stage, Camacho has been a key player for Spain’s youth national teams, with an impressive list of achievements. She was a member of the Spain U-17 team that won the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and also finished as a runner-up in the 2022 UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship, where she earned the Golden Boot. The following year, she continued her success by helping the Spain U-19 team win the 2023 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship.

Chiamaka Nnadozie

Joining from Paris FC, Nnadozie brings a wealth of experience in the top flight, including valuable Champions League game time. Beyond her club success, she has also racked up numerous individual honours, including the COF Goalkeeper of the Year award and a place in the WAFCON Team of the Tournament.

She has been a key player for the Super Falcons since joining the team at just 19 years old, making 45 appearances since 2018. During that time, she has competed in the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympics, while also helping her team win gold at the 2018 and 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as well as the 2019 African Games.

Grace McNewan – First Contract

Grace McEwen’s addition to Brighton’s squad is a significant one, as the club has secured a promising young defender. Having progressed through Charlton Athletic’s academy, she signed for Brighton in 2023 and made her first-team debut in an FA Cup match in early 2024.

Last season, McEwen was on loan at Portsmouth to gain senior experience, where her time was cut short after she ruptured her ACL. Women’s and girls’ academy manager Perry Northeast said, “She’s had a challenging few months since her injury, but she has shown great professionalism and is making positive strides in her rehab, and we’re looking forward to seeing her back on the pitch with her teammates very soon.”

Michelle Agyemang – Loan 

England’s stargirl is back at Brighton, signing on loan for another season. This summer, she made sure everyone knew her name, really becoming the saviour of the nation. She was England’s super sub, saving them by scoring last-minute goals and providing game-winning assists. At just 19, she’s become a European Champion, when a couple of months previously, she hadn’t even made her England debut. 

Brighton will be happy to keep her for the 25/26 season, previously played for them last season. Before that, she was on a dual registration at Watford, where she made 9 appearances and scored 4 goals. 

Brighton & Hove Albion Women at the end of the 24/25 season. Photo: BHAFCW