We secured an important 1-0 win at home to Leicester City in the Women's Super League on Wednesday night, courtesy of an outstanding Bethany England strike.
Interim Head Coach Vicky Jepson made one change to the side that began the weekend's game against Liverpool, Eveliina Summanen replacing Mana Iwabuchi.
In an initially quiet first half, Leicester had the first sight of goal when Hannah Cain floated a free-kick into the 18-yard box. Amy Turner got her head on it and Tinja-Riikka made a simple catch.
There was an equally straightforward stop for Janina Leitzig at the other end, who caught a long-range effort from Kerys Harrop moments later.
Summanen's corner was headed wide by Turner before there was a stoppage in play to allow for Korpela to receive treatment. She was okay to carry on and got both hands behind a Leicester free-kick, before being in the right place again to stop an effort from Cain.
At the other end, Rosella Ayane swung a cross in from the right but it just evaded Nikola Karczewska at the far post.
Drew Spence played it forward to Ayane, whose right-footed strike was spilled by Leitzig, but no-one was following up for the rebound.
Two minutes were added on at the end of the first half and we had a good chance to take the lead when England found Summanen in a dangerous area. She turned on the ball but Leicester got an important block in.
From the following Kerys Harrop corner, Summanen flicked her header wide of the far post and we went into the break level.
We made one change at half-time, Iwabuchi coming on for Karczewska. Celin Bizet was next to come on as Summanen made way after a start to the second half where chances were few and far between.
Just beyond the hour mark, Cain worked her way into the danger area and saw a powerful effort saved well by Korpela at the near post and the away side nearly took the lead from the following corner.
Molly Bartrip made a vital goal-line clearance before Leicester hit the bar from close range, and then we got lift off.
England seized the initiative, smashing the ball into the top right corner from the left corner of the 18-yard box - an incredible finish.
Our goalscorer was then substituted and replaced by Kit Graham with less than 20 minutes remaining, as Remy Siemsen tucked a chance wide of the near post from close range for Leicester.
Ashleigh Neville picked out Graham on the counter-attack in the 78th minute and she curled wide of the post as we looked for the second goal of the game.
Ayane played an excellent pass behind the Leicester defence to run onto. She tried to go round Leitzig but shot wide on her left foot.
Sam Tierney picked out former Lilywhite Josie Green in a central position and her attempt didn't have enough on it to trouble Korpela.
Bizet's corner came out to Iwabuchi with seven minutes remaining but the latter struck wide on the volley. The chances kept coming as Ayane shot just high and wide shortly after.
Monique Robinson had a go during five minutes of stoppage time, but once again the long-range effort was no problem for Korpela. We made our final change as Chioma Ubogagu came on for Ayane.
Three important points and a big confidence boost ahead of the north London derby.
