Arsenal traveled to Crystal Palace to play in front of a sold-out crowd. The home team started the match brightly and on their toes but could not prevent Beth Mead from opening the score in the 14th minute. Eventually, there was no stopping Arsenal, and the visitors secured a 0-4 win. This puts them back in second place in the Women’s Super League. Read our match report on Crystal Palace vs Arsenal.
Match Highlights
Beth Mead opened the scoring with her 50th WSL goal for Arsenal.
Alessia Russo doubled the lead.
Chloe Kelly did all the work for the third goal but it went down as an OG by Swaby.
Source: Arsenal on X
Slow start to the game
Which might not have been the most entertaining to watch, but it also meant that Crystal Palace was doing a good job of holding Arsenal back. However, it was short-lived, as the opener fell to Beth Mead in the 14th minute. Maanum sent Chloe Kelly away down the left, and the cross was timed perfectly for Mead to volley it in the back of the net.
Doubling the lead
Crystal Palace could not keep up with The Gunners. Cato was dispossessed by Caldentey, and Russo picked up the ball, drove into the box and sent it into the low corner. Yanez was left defenceless.
The home team tried to get back in the game when they earned their first corner. The delivery was good and Aniek Nouwen tried to volley goalward but her effort went wide.
Chloe Kelly is in excellent form
Kelly had a big chance when she dispossessed Swaby high up on the pitch. She immediately charged toward Yanez, who came off her line and swept the ball away at Kelly’s feet. The forward got another opportunity just before half-time, but once again, the goalkeeper kept it out. The Arsenal fans showed their appreciation for Chloe Kelly’s play as they chanted: “We want you to stay, we want you to stay, Chloe Kelly, we want you to stay”
Source: Crystal Palace on X
Second Half: Both sides start unchanged
The second half was not much different: Arsenal had most of the ball but Crystal Palace was lurking to pull one back. Their goalkeeper, Yanez, held her team in the game with a good save around the one-hour mark.
Renée Slegers brought on Victoria Pelova for Maanum. Pelova is slowly returning to the pitch as she is in the final stage of recovering from an ACL injury. Wälti also made way for Kim Little.
Leif Smerud made his first changes: Riley, Potter and Veje on for Nolan, Arthur and Sharpe.
Dominant display by Arsenal
The Gunners controlled the entire second half, looking to finish the game with at least a third on the scoresheet. Eventually, it was Chloe Kelly in the 77th minute. Caldentey sents her away on the left; Kelly worked her way around Riley and her effort found the back of the net. It later went down as an own goal by Swaby.
Chloe Kelly and Mariona Caldentey made way for Cooney-Cross and Rosa Kafaji.
10 minutes & Stoppage time
Leif Smerud took Weerden off and brought on Blanchard, hoping to at least get a goal in. The goaldifference could be important in the final round and the battle against relegation. Palace finds themselves in a very tough position as Aston Villa secured a 1-2 win over Liverpool. Crystal Palace lost 4-0 to The Gunners, when they found the net once more when Beth Mead’s cross floated in the top corner.