LAUREN HEMP helped England deliver a birthday weekend win for Sarina Wiegman as they overran Belgium in the Women’s Nations League on Friday night.
Red Flames’ hopes of turning up the heat on their hosts were dampened by the Lionesses’ hungry attack and 1-0 win at the King Power.
GettyLauren Hemp scored the only goal from close range in the first half[/caption]
GettyMary Earps made some outstanding saves to keep the clean sheet[/caption]
This was despite a couple of nail-biting moments that produced some top draw saves from crowd favourite and ex-Leicester ace Mary Earps.
The victory, watched by a lively 28,321-strong crowd, at the Foxes home saw England move up to second and level on points with group leaders Holland.
And Wiegman aces were boosted by Fran Kirby making her first Lionesses appearance since last October following her recovery a long-term knee injury.
England were eager to bounce back after a 2-1 loss to Holland and going five games without a clean sheet.
They overwhelmed the visitors pinning them deep in their half for large chunks of the game including the opening nine minutes.
It took just a minute for the hosts to mount their first attack with Niamh Charles dangerous run into the box
And Belgium’s backline looked all over the shop when Lauren Hemp saw a shot palmed away from goal before Ella Toone’s effort rolled inches wide of the post.
Against the run of play Justine Vanhaevermaet – Belgium’s most dangerous player in attack – forced an impressive 10th minute Earps stop from her towering header.
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GettyFran Kirby returned from injury[/caption]
England took a deserved lead two minutes later after with Hemp slotting home from a corner following skipper Millie Bright’s header
And they went close near the half hour mark with the ball whizzing past Alessia Russo near the half hour mark.
The second spell saw England maintain the pressure with Alex Greenwood’s curled free-kick prompting a fine Nicky Evrard save
This was shortly after Earps classy stop of Sarah Wijnants long range thumper with 34 minutes of normal time left.
Wiegman, who turned 54 on Thursday, shuffled her deck with Rachel Daly and Kirby entering the fray in the 65th minute for Russo and Toone.
Her side saw out the win ahead of the clash with Belgium in Leuven on Tuesday.
ReutersThe Lionesses face Belgium again on Tuesday[/caption]