The Eagles fly with five WSL 2 wins in five slotting four past Durham

Crystal Palace Women continued their winning momentum as they secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Durham in the Barclays Women's Super League (WSL 2) at the VBS Community Stadium. 

Durham looked the more dangerous team, pressing high and relentlessly attacking the Eagles' defence, but it was Palace that were triumphant in the end.  

Two goals from Molly Sharpe in the second half sealed the win, while a goal from forward Annabel Blanchard ensured the Eagles were in top form.

Abbie Larkin scored a fourth in extra time, adding woe to an already miserable day for the Wildcats. Durham looked for opportunities whenever they could, but they were outsmarted by Palace's defence.

The Eagles were looking to close the gap on the top four after wins at Sheffield United and Bristol City, whereas Durham were hoping to get one better after a string of mixed results left them tenth in the table, with only two wins.  

The Wildcats remain only ten points above the relegation zone and will be disappointed with the result, especially after drawing 1-1 with Palace in the same fixture last season.

Despite the match remaining goalless for long periods, Palace powered through, held on, and secured all three points.

First Half

This match offered both teams a chance to experiment, with Palace lining up their strongest players in defence in a 3-5-2 formation, while Durham focused on their experienced midfield and attack, leading from the front in a 4-2-3-1.

Hayley Ladd made her first start for the Eagles, while Lucy Newell was included in the squad for the first time since joining.

This worked in their favour as the Wildcats dominated possession and controlled the ball well in midfield and in the final third. There were early opportunities for the team to capitalise, with few shots on goal.

Palace pushed forward but struggled to convert their chances, while both teams looked for openings.

Midfielder Beth Hepple stood out as a creative and aggressive presence up front but could not break through Palace’s defence despite a few shots on goal. A close call came from Kirsty Howat, Palace’s first shot on target, but it went wide.

Durham defended really well throughout, keeping Palace at bay. Annabel Blanchard made a good run but could not capitalise on it.

The Wildcats also had a close chance with Tyler Toland, but it was offside. The Eagles, in good form, tried to squeeze in another chance but could not find the end.

Palace looked the stronger team overall, needing to push more in the final third and be more clinical in attack, with both teams lacking that final finish.

Ashleigh Weerden ran up top but was blocked by Durham. The closest shot of the game came from Palace, but it went wide. They were struggling to convert their chances, starting strong but failing to find space and finish.

The last shot of the first half came from Palace, another missed opportunity.

Half time: Crystal Palace 0-0 Durham Women.

Second half

A close chance came early on for Palace as a cross from Molly Sharpe went out wide. Palace continued pushing through, trying to find a breakthrough, with Sharpe looking clinical in possession.

Durham threatened with a close effort, but a good save by Catriona Sheppard denied them. Palace had a huge opportunity, the best of the game so far, but the chance was missed wide.

However, the breakthrough finally came in the 59th minute, when Sharpe struck a shot from the right side of the box into the bottom right corner, making it 1-0 to the Eagles.

Energised by their opener, Palace did not lose their momentum, with Annabel Blanchard doubling their lead, converting from close range following a corner. The Eagles had another string of missed opportunities, but then they soon made it three.

Sharpe completed her brace with a left-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner after a strong run towards goal.

A mad scramble in the Palace box caused momentary panic, but Durham were denied once again.

Palace had a good chance from a free kick but failed to capitalise. Durham then broke through on an open goal opportunity, but the effort went wide and was blocked by Palace.

Another missed chance followed for Durham, who needed more power and urgency going forward. Palace dominated possession late on and added a fourth in stoppage time.

Ashleigh Weerden drove through midfield and played the ball to Abbie Larkin, who set up the finish to seal an emphatic win.

Full time: Crystal Palace 4-0 Durham Women

Post match

Speaking to WSL Football, Crystal Palace manager Jo Potter reflected on the game:

“I thought we continued to push. We were there in the first half, although it was a little bit rusty. There were clear opportunities to go ahead, with a few chances from a good distance, but we didn’t quite execute what we were trying to do.

At half-time, we spoke about tidying up a bit more and using opposite movements to improve our backline. I thought we were a little more spread out in the second half, and we managed that well.

I was really pleased with the desire to go and score. We’ve had bits of that this season, but the determination to push, get more goals, and continue applying our tactics was really good from the team.

Our backline was excellent. Marginally, they were better in certain threats because when you’ve got players running at you, it’s always a danger, but overall, I thought we did marvellously well. I’m very pleased with the performance.”

On Palace’s good run of momentum:

“We had a good conversation before Christmas about not just what we do in possession, but out of it, and trying to get it right.

There were moments, especially in the second half, where hesitancy crept in, and we got punished, making mistakes in possession. But we’ve worked hard to remove that from our game, and I think the players have realised what we’re trying to do with our shape.

When we do it right, stick together, and stay on the same page, we can really control the game, push teams back, and withstand counterattacks.

We’ve been doing a lot of work on our structure and shape, making sure players are in the right positions to make decisions. The players have bought into it 100%, and you can see it now; they’re flourishing and putting in really strong performances all around the park.”

Durham manager Adam Furness also reflected on the game:

“In terms of the result, I thought we were a bit unlucky. It was a real game; we tried to compete against a very good side. In the first half, we stood on the counterattack, got our structure right, pressed well, and I thought it was really even.

The game changed with that first goal; it was a big moment. After that, we had to make changes and come out a bit more. The second goal made it even tougher as we tried to push forward, but we still went for it. At times, it felt a bit exposed; that’s the nature of football,  and unfortunately, it just wasn’t our day today.”

On Durham’s mixed results and recent form, he said:

“In the majority of games, it comes down to working in both boxes. We’ve slipped in seven of our last seven games, which is a bit of a concern, but we also have a really good defensive record, so that hasn’t been too much of an issue.

At the other end of the pitch, we looked more threatening today compared to previous weeks. The group collectively is working hard, sticking together, and we just hope the results start to turn in our favour.”

What's Next

The Eagles will take on Southampton in their next WSL2 fixture at St Mary’s Stadium on 1st February, with kick off at 14:00.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats face Portsmouth on the same day, with kick off at 12:00.