The 2020–21 Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C. season was the club's 30th season in existence and their third in the FA Women's Super League, the highest level of the football pyramid. Along with competing in the WSL, the club also contested two domestic cup competitions: the FA Cup and the League Cup.
| 2020–21 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Tony Bloom | |||
| Manager | Hope Powell | |||
| Stadium | Broadfield Stadium, Crawley | |||
| WSL | 6th | |||
| FA Cup | Semi-final | |||
| League Cup | Group stage | |||
| Top goalscorer | League: Inessa Kaagman (8) All: Inessa Kaagman (9) | |||
|
| ||||
Summary edit
On 6 September, Brighton played Birmingham in their opening match of the season in what was their first league match in 6 months. The Seagulls won 2–0 at home with goals from Megan Connolly and Inessa Kaagman.[1] On 27 September, Brighton played Birmingham again, this time coming in the quarter-final of the 2019–20 FA Cup in which they lost on penalties. The cup overlapped the new season due to the postponements as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] Brighton's first defeat of the campaign came on the 4 October in their third league game, a 3–0 away loss against Manchester United.[3] In the 2–2 away draw at Everton on 18 October, Kayleigh Green was seen to be shown two yellow cards by referee Lucy Oliver but was not sent off, baffling Toffees manager Willie Kirk.[4][5]
Brighton reached the semi-final of the 2020–21 FA Cup where they were defeated 3–0 away at Arsenal on 31 October 2021, after Coronavirus delayed the tournament into the next season.[6]
Squad edit
- As of 5 February 2021.[7]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Pre-season edit
| 7 August 2020 Friendly | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2–2 | Leicester City | Burton upon Trent |
| Report | Stadium: St George's Park Attendance: Behind-closed-doors |
| 13 August 2020 Friendly | Arsenal | – | Brighton & Hove Albion | London Colney |
| Report | Stadium: Arsenal Training Centre Attendance: Behind-closed-doors | |||
| Note: No official scoreline released | ||||
| 16 August 2020 Friendly | Liverpool | – | Brighton & Hove Albion | Birkenhead |
| Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: Behind-closed-doors | ||||
| Note: No official scoreline released | ||||
FA Women's Super League edit
Results summary edit
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 22 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 21 | 41 | −20 | 27 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 24 | −13 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 17 | −7 |
Last updated: 9 May 2021.
Source: FA WSL
Results by matchday edit
Results edit
| 6 September 2020 1 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2–0 | Birmingham City | Crawley |
| 14:00 | Report | Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Rob Whitton |
| 13 September 2020 2 | Manchester City | 0–0 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Manchester |
| 14:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Academy Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Helen Conley |
| 4 October 2020 3 | Manchester United | 3–0 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Leigh |
| 12:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Leigh Sports Village Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Elliot Swallow |
| 11 October 2020 4 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0–5 | Arsenal | Crawley |
| 12:30 | Report |
|
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Kirsty Dowle |
| 18 October 2020 5 | Everton | 2–2 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Liverpool |
| 13:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Walton Hall Park Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Lucy Oliver |
| 8 November 2020 6 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0–2 | Aston Villa | Crawley |
| 14:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Stacey Pearson |
| 15 November 2020 7 | West Ham United | 0–1 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Dagenham |
| 12:30 | Report | Stadium: Victoria Road Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Abigail Byrne |
| 6 December 2020 8 | Tottenham Hotspur | 3–1 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Canons Park |
| 14:00 | Report | Stadium: The Hive |
| 13 December 2020 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0–1 | Chelsea | Crawley |
| 14:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: 457 Referee: Lisa Benn |
| 20 December 2020 10 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–3 | Reading | Crawley |
| 14:00 | Report | Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Abigail Byrne |
| 10 January 2021 | Bristol City | P–P | Brighton & Hove Albion | Bath |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Twerton Park | |||
| Note: Postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases in Brighton squad[8] | ||||
| 17 January 2021 11 | Birmingham City | 0–0 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Solihull |
| 14:00 | Report | Kerkdijk  64' |
Stadium: Damson Park Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Helen Conley |
| 24 January 2021 12 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–7 | Manchester City | Lancing |
| 14:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: AMEX Elite Football Performance Centre Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Lisa Benn |
| 30 January 2021 13 | Bristol City | 3–0 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Bath |
| 14:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Twerton Park Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Lucy Oliver | |
| Note: Rescheduled from 10 January 2021 following positive COVID-19 cases in Brighton squad. | ||||
| 7 February 2021 14 | Chelsea | 1–2 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Kingston upon Thames |
| 14:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Kingsmeadow Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Cristiana Hattersley |
| 10 February 2021 15 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–0 | West Ham United | Crawley |
| 19:00 | Report | Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Isaac Searle |
| 7 March 2021 16 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2–0 | Tottenham Hotspur | Crawley |
| 14:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Stacey Pearson |
| 17 March 2021 17 | Aston Villa | 0–2 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Walsall |
| 19:30 | Report | Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Helen Conley |
| 28 March 2021 18 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0–5 | Everton | Crawley |
| 12:30 |
|
Report | Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Cristiana Hattersley |
| 4 April 2021 19 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–0 | Manchester United | Crawley |
| 14:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Abigail Byrne |
| 25 April 2021 20 | Arsenal | 2–0 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Borehamwood |
| 14:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Meadow Park Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Lisa Benn |
| 2 May 2021 21 | Reading | 3–2 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Reading |
| 14:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Madejski Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Elizabeth Simms |
| 9 May 2021 22 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 3–1 | Bristol City | Crawley |
| 14:30 |
|
Report | Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Amy Fearns |
League table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Manchester United | 22 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 44 | 20 | +24 | 47 |
| 5 | Everton | 22 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 39 | 30 | +9 | 32 |
| 6 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 22 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 21 | 41 | −20 | 27 |
| 7 | Reading | 22 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 25 | 41 | −16 | 24 |
| 8 | Tottenham Hotspur | 22 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 18 | 41 | −23 | 20 |
Source: FA WSL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored.
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored.
Women's FA Cup edit
As a member of the top two tiers, Brighton will enter the FA Cup in the fourth round proper. Originally scheduled to take place on 31 January 2021, it was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions.[9][10] Due to the delay, the competition only reached the fifth round before the end of the season. It resumed at the quarter-final stage the following season on 29 September 2021.
| 18 April 2021 Fourth round | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–0 | Bristol City | Crawley |
| 14:00 | Report | Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors |
| 16 May 2021 Fifth round | Brighton & Hove Albion | 6–0 | Huddersfield Town | Crawley |
| 12:00 | Report | Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors |
| 29 September 2021 Quarter-final | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–0 | Charlton Athletic | Crawley |
| 19:00 | Gibbons  68' |
Report | Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Referee: Emily Heaslip |
| 31 October 2021 Semi-final | Arsenal | 3–0 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Borehamwood |
| 16:45 |
|
Stadium: Meadow Park Referee: Abigail Byrne |
FA Women's League Cup edit
| 7 October 2020 Group stage | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2–2 (2–4 p) | West Ham United | Crawley |
| 19:30 |
|
Report | Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Steven Hughes | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 4 November 2020 Group stage | Charlton Athletic | C–C | Brighton & Hove Albion | Crayford |
| 19:45 | Stadium: The Oakwood | |||
| Note: Initially postponed following positive COVID-19 test on Brighton staff[11] Fixture was not fulfilled. | ||||
| 18 November 2020 Group stage | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0–2 | Reading | Crawley |
| 19:30 |
|
Report | Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors Referee: Ryan Atkin |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | WPEN | LPEN | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | WHU | REA | BHA | CHA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Ham United | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 8 | Advanced to knock-out stage | — | 3–0 | — | — | |
| 2 | Reading | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 6 | Possible knock-out stage based on ranking | — | — | — | 4–0 | |
| 3 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | — | — | ||
| 4 | Charlton Athletic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | −8 | 0 | 0–4 | — | C–C[α] | — |
Source: thefa.com
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of wins; 5) Head-to-head record
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of wins; 5) Head-to-head record
Transfers edit
Transfers in edit
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 July 2020 | GK | 
|
Katie Startup | Charlton Athletic
|
[14] |
| 13 July 2020 | MF |
|
Katie Robinson | Bristol City
|
[15] |
| 15 July 2020 | MF | 
|
Nora Heroum |  A.C. Milan
|
[16] |
| 17 July 2020 | MF | 
|
Inessa Kaagman | Everton
|
[17] |
| 2 September 2020 | DF | 
|
Rebekah Stott |  Melbourne City
|
[18] |
| 5 February 2021 | DF |
|
Emma Koivisto |  Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC
|
[19] |
Loans in edit
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 July 2020 | FW | 
|
Lee Geum-min | Manchester City
|
End of season | [20] |
| 9 September 2020 | FW | 
|
Denise O'Sullivan |  North Carolina Courage
|
31 December 2020 | [21] |
Transfers out edit
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 June 2020 | MF | 
|
Léa Le Garrec | FC Fleury 91
|
[22][23] |
| MF |
|
Kate Natkiel | Crystal Palace
|
[22][24] | |
| MF |
|
Amanda Nildén | Eskilstuna United
|
[22][25] | |
| GK |
|
Sophie Harris | Watford
|
[22][26] | |
| DF |
|
Fern Whelan | Retired | [22][27] | |
| FW | 
|
Ini Umotong | Växjö DFF
|
[22][28] | |
| 1 July 2020 | DF | 
|
Matilde Lundorf | Juventus
|
[29][30] |
Loans out edit
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 August 2020 | GK |
|
Laura Hartley | Lewes
|
End of season | [31] |
| 7 August 2020 | DF |
|
Ellie Hack | Lewes
|
End of season | [32] |
| 5 September 2020 | DF | 
|
Laura Rafferty | Bristol City
|
End of season | [33] |
| 6 September 2020 | GK |
|
Katie Startup | Charlton Athletic
|
[34] | |
| 13 September 2020 | DF |
|
Bethan Roe | Charlton Athletic
|
16 January 2021 | [35] |
| 8 January 2021 | MF |
|
Kirsty Barton | Crystal Palace
|
End of season | [36] |
Squad statistics edit
Appearances edit
- As of 31 October 2021
Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | FA WSL | FA Cup | League Cup | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||||
| Goalkeepers | |||||||||||||
| 1 | GK | ENG
|
Megan Walsh | 17 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 25 | GK |  NOR
|
Cecilie Fiskerstrand | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 40 | GK | ENG
|
Katie Startup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Defenders | |||||||||||||
| 2 | DF | ENG
|
Bethan Roe | 5 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 3 | DF | ENG
|
Felicity Gibbons | 19 | 2 | 12+1 | 0 | 3+1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 4 | DF | ENG
|
Danielle Bowman | 15 | 0 | 12+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 5 | DF | NED
|
Danique Kerkdijk | 25 | 2 | 16+3 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 6 | DF | ENG
|
Maya Le Tissier | 27 | 1 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 12 | DF | FIN
|
Emma Koivisto | 13 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 13 | DF | NZL
|
Rebekah Stott | 7 | 0 | 5+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 20 | DF | ENG
|
Victoria Williams | 20 | 0 | 15+2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Midfielders | |||||||||||||
| 8 | MF | IRL
|
Megan Connolly | 19 | 3 | 14+1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 10 | MF | NED
|
Inessa Kaagman | 27 | 9 | 22 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0+2 | 0 | ||
| 11 | MF | FIN
|
Nora Heroum | 15 | 1 | 5+6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 19 | MF | ENG
|
Emily Simpkins | 18 | 0 | 7+7 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 21 | MF | ENG
|
Jodie Brett | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 22 | MF | ENG
|
Katie Robinson | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 24 | MF | ENG
|
Maisie Symonds | 3 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 26 | MF | ENG
|
Hollie Olding | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 32 | MF | ENG
|
Libby Bance | 13 | 0 | 1+9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | ||
| Forwards | |||||||||||||
| 7 | FW | ENG
|
Aileen Whelan | 26 | 4 | 22 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | ||
| 9 | FW | KOR
|
Lee Geum-min | 20 | 3 | 12+5 | 3 | 0+1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 15 | FW |  WAL
|
Kayleigh Green | 21 | 0 | 13+3 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | ||
| 16 | FW | ENG
|
Ellie Brazil | 18 | 0 | 13+2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 23 | FW | IRL
|
Rianna Jarrett | 20 | 4 | 8+8 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0+2 | 1 | ||
| 29 | FW | ENG
|
Faith Nokuthula | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Joined during 2021–22 season but competed in the postponed 2020–21 FA Cup: | |||||||||||||
| 11 | FW | ENG
|
Rinsola Babajide | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 18 | FW | ENG
|
Daniele Carter | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 32 | MF | ENG
|
Juliet Adebowale | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| DF |  BEL
|
Lea Cordier | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Players away from the club on loan: | |||||||||||||
| 18 | MF | ENG
|
Kirsty Barton | 5 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Players who appeared for the club but left during the season: | |||||||||||||
| 12 | FW | IRL
|
Denise O'Sullivan | 11 | 0 | 8+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | ||
References edit
- ^ "Women's Super League: Brighton & Hove Albion 2–0 Birmingham City – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- ^ "Women's FA Cup: Brighton & Hove Albion 2–2 Birmingham City (2–4) – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- ^ "Manchester United 3–0 Brighton & Hove Albion: Alessia Russo on target in routine victory – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- ^ "Women's Super League: Everton 2–2 Brighton & Hove Albion – Willie Kirk baffled by card 'mix–up' – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ "WSL Trending: Two yellow cards = no red? Watch bizarre card mix–up in WSL – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ "Women's FA Cup semi-final: Arsenal beat Brighton 3-0 to set up final against Chelsea – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ "Brighton & Hove Albion - Women's Team". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
- ^ "Bristol City-Brighton off because of Covid". BBC Sport.
- ^ "The Women's FA Cup Season 2020–21 List of Exemptions" (PDF). thefa.com. The Football Association. 10 August 2020.
- ^ "Women's FA Cup to remain suspended during coronavirus lockdown". Sky Sports.
- ^ "Continental Cup tie postponed". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
- ^ "Continental Cup tie postponed". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
- ^ "FA Women's League Cup quarter-final draw date". womenscompetitions.thefa.com.
- ^ "Startup signs up for Albion". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
- ^ "Powell adds second new signing". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
- ^ "Heroum joins from AC Milan". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
- ^ "Albion go Dutch with latest signing". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
- ^ "Albion sign New Zealand international". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
- ^ "Brighton Women sign defender Koivisto". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Albion sign World Cup star". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
- ^ Birkedal, Morgan (9 September 2020). "Denise O'Sullivan to Finish 2020 on Loan with Brighton & Hove Albion". North Carolina Courage.
- ^ a b c d e f "Hope Powell pays tribute as Le Garrec returns to France". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
- ^ "Léa Le Garrec s'engage !". FC Fleury 91 (in French).
- ^ "Palace Women secure Natkiel from Brighton & Hove Albion". www.cpfc.co.uk.
- ^ Alhag, Stefan (11 July 2020). "Eskilstuna United värvar Amanda Nildén". eskilstunaunited (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 7 December 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Official: Harris Signs For Golden Girls". www.watfordfc.com.
- ^ "Whelan retires with immediate effect". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
- ^ "Umotong till Växjö DFF". OBOS Damallsvenskan (in Swedish).
- ^ "Lundorf to leave Albion". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
- ^ "Matilde Lundorf è bianconera!". Juventus.com (in Italian).
- ^ "Brighton keeper joins the Rooks". www.lewesfc.com.
- ^ "England youth international added to Rooks' defensive line-up". www.lewesfc.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ "Rafferty is a Robin". Bristol City.
- ^ "Startup returns to Charlton on loan". Chalrton Athletic twitter.
- ^ "Bethan Roe signs from Brighton". cafcwomen.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ "Kirsty Barton joins Palace Women from Brighton & Hove Albion". www.cpfc.co.uk.