Parris heads the winner as Albion maintain high-flying start

Nikita Parris score the winner as Albion maintained their high-flying start to the WSL season.

The Seagulls weathered a nervous finale to beat Leicester City 1-0 at the Broadfield Stadium.

They have ten points from their first four home games, building up to an Amex date with West Ham on November 16.

Albion men’s team head coach Fabian Huerzeler was among a crowd of 2,080 who saw them secure a win they deserved but might have made more comfortable.

Parris scored for the third successive home game with the 20th-minute breakthrough.

Her diving header forced home Jorelyn Carabali’s cross via the post after the impressive Colombia defender had joined in an attack and combined with Madison Haley.

Albion played some attractive football and the afternoon was largely about whether they would make it 2-0 than concede an equaliser.

Bruna, who was involved in the move for the goal, was a delight to watch on the ball.

Parris and Bruna were off target just before the break and Carabali went close from long range in the second half.

Janina Leitzig saved low down from Parris.

Later, Haley seemed to be fouled in the box by Chantelle Swaby but referee Ade Soneye ruled it was shoulder-to-shoulder.

But Leicester hung on in there and gave themselves the chance to prey on any Albion nerves.

Sophie Baggaley held on to a Hannah Cain shot late on after Guro Bergsvand gave the ball away.

And a couple of ball flashed perilously across the face of goal before Albion could celebrate the win and, pending other results over the weekend, second spot in the table.

Albion: Baggaley; McLauchlan, Bergsvand, Carabali, Pattinson; Losada, Olislagers (Symonds 68); Haley (Agyemang 87), Kirby, Bruna (Seike 68); Parris. Unused subs: Loeck, Thorisdottir, Masaka, Auee, Poulter.