A stunning debut hat trick from Kiko Seike was the highlight of a stellar opening day for Brighton & Hove Albion and their new manager, Dario Vidošić.

The Japanese international’s first-ever club game outside of her home country was certainly one to remember, with her fantastic hat trick complemented by a Fran Kirby debut goal. Vidošić’s playing style left a clear mark on both the game and the league.

The Seagulls’ new boss named a strong side for his first game in charge, with Fran Kirby making her Brighton bow alongside Bruna Vilamana, Seike, and Marisa Olislagers. Jelena Cankovic, Michelle Agyemang, and Nikita Parris were named on the bench.

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Brian Sorensen, beginning his second season with Everton, handed debuts to Veatriki Sarri against her former club, Toni Payne, and Inma Gabarró.

The first chance of the game fell to Brighton inside six minutes, with Pauline Bremer finding space from a corner but heading wide. Seike caused trouble on the right and delivered a low cross that just missed a Brighton player inside the box, a lucky escape for Everton.

Everton’s Aurora Galli had their first significant chance of the half, striking towards goal, but Sophie Baggaley held it comfortably in the Brighton goal.

One of Brighton’s summer signings, Seike, marked her debut with a wonderful moment to delight the Broadfield Stadium faithful. Everton’s Elise Stenevik got into a tangle, allowing Seike to steal the ball and float a stunning effort past Courtney Brosnan to give Brighton a deserved lead.

Everton almost responded immediately as Galli crossed towards Gabarró, but Baggaley was quick to collect it.

Seike was at the heart of everything good for Brighton, combining well with Bremer, although Bremer’s effort was blocked.

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Everton had the first big chance of the second half, with Gabarró firing a superb effort on target, only for Baggaley to tip it over with a fantastic save.

Ten minutes after the break, Brighton struck again. Poppy Pattinson sprinted down the left and delivered a superb cross to an unmarked Seike, who nodded in at the far post to double both her tally and Brighton’s lead.

In response, Sorensen made changes, bringing on Honoka Hayashi and Karoline Olesen for Payne and Gabarró, with Hayashi making her Everton debut.

However, things quickly went wrong for Hayashi, who was penalized for handball in the box. Fran Kirby stepped up and coolly sent Brosnan the wrong way to add a third for Brighton.

Two more Brighton debutants, Jelena Cankovic and Nikita Parris, were introduced to great receptions, replacing Bremer and Vilamala.

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The cherry on top for Brighton came 15 minutes from time when Seike won the ball back and lashed an unstoppable shot into the corner, completing her dream debut hat trick.

Aurora Galli had a late injury scare but wasn’t stretchered off, with Everton having used all five substitutions. Brighton’s goal scorers were then replaced, with Kirby and Seike making way for Michelle Agyemang and Madison Haley.

Eight minutes of added time were signalled, but Brighton navigated them with ease, ensuring an incredible start to the new WSL season for the Seagulls.


Featured image courtesy of  Daniel Coomber via Flickr. No changes were made to this image. License details found here.