The sight of two unwaveringly optimistic young girls staunchly waving their “Foxes never quit” flags proudly in the air – despite the swirling rain at the King Power Stadium – summed up the never-say-die attitude required for a relegation battle that Leicester are going to need now more than ever, after their chances of staying up decreased significantly with Sunday’s defeat.

Even before losing against Brighton, Leicester’s hopes had suffered a big blow with the sight of Oona Siren hitting a superb, looping volley into the net to earn 11th-placed West Ham a valuable point in a lunchtime kick-off. The 1-1 draw at home against London City Lionesses edged West Ham further away from the bottom side Leicester, who would go on to be deservedly beaten 1-0 by Brighton and find themselves four points adrift with four games remaining.

There is, at least, a potential lifeline this season: the one-legged playoff fixture, scheduled for 23 May, against whoever finishes third in the second tier is now beginning to loom large for Leicester. The only side in the Women’s Super League affiliated to an EFL club, Leicester’s current predicament can largely be attributed to them operating on what is...