The Biggest Surprise Stage At Leicester City Adobe Women FA CUP

Shannon O’Brien’s brace helped Leicester City book a spot in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals with a 6-2 win over Birmingham City at Pirelli Stadium.

The hosts were blushing after a Missy Goodwin own goal in the second minute, though they quickly found an equaliser through Janice Cayman.

Two clinical O’Brien goals put Leicester ahead before and after Libby Smith’s equaliser to head into half-time 3-2 up as second-half goals from Saori Takarada, Deanne Rose and Aileen Whelan wrapped up the win.

The Foxes got off to an unfortunate start when Goodwin directed the ball into her own net with a deflection inside two minutes.

But the hosts responded through Cayman, who calmly placed a ball from Takarada into the Birmingham net on 19 minutes.

O’Brien fired her side ahead four minutes later when she cut inside from the edge of the box to place a brilliant strike into the top right corner.

Smith found a reply with her own effort to beat Janina Leitzig but Leicester edged in front again before half-time as O’Brien bagged her second.

Takarada made it four with a deserved headed goal from a cleverly placed Jutta Rantala free-kick.

Substitute Rose came from the bench to get herself on the scoresheet after nestling the ball into the bottom corner before Whelan firmly sealed the win with a finish from close range.