Women’s football: Crystal Palace unbeaten run ended by league leaders Liverpool

Yana Daniels’ brace and goals from Katie Stengel and Rachel Furness secured Liverpool a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace in the FA Women’s Championship.

It ended Palace’s unbeaten run in the league and saw the Reds surge seven points clear of second-placed London City Lionesses.

Liverpool almost went ahead within two minutes when Rachel Furness’s diving header was blocked on the line by Molly Sharpe.

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Emily Orman produced an important save that denied Stengel’s from close-range a minute later.

Daniels put Liverpool ahead at Hayes Lane after she comfortably slotted the ball into the bottom corner after meeting Rachel Furness’ resulting cross.

Matt Beard’s side threatened again after Leanne Kiernan’s long-range effort rattled the woodwork.

Liverpool extended their lead in the 21st minute through Stengel as she blasted her left-footed effort from an acute angle inside the far post.

Missy Bo Kearns fired a powerful effort which forced Orman to produce an excellent save before Leanne Kiernan’s came close with a diving header in the six-yard box.

Dean Davenport’s side should have taken advantage of poor Liverpool marking at Siobhan Wilson’s corner found Sharpe but she flew her effort over the bar.

The Reds further made it 3-0 when Taylor Hinds executed an inch-perfect cross to find Daniels, who sent a looping header over Palace keeper Orman.

Palace started the second half on the front foot and came close with Bianca Baptiste’s effort going wide of the post.

Liverpool substitute Furness smashed in a 68th minute goal.

Palace continued to fight hard to get a consolation goal. Coral-Jade Haines delivered a dangerous ball into the box but Lizzle Waldie’s header went wide.

Eagles boss Davenport said: “I didn’t think we started the game really well as a team. Liverpool limited our chances going forward and we are really disappointed that we lacked the desire and intent to have a go at Liverpool because that’s how we have been set up all week.

“We have got to be disappointed to concede all four goals because the intent from our 18-yard box was simply not good enough. We can’t put it down to one goal. If we do lack a bit of belief in the first 45 minutes, it was hard for us to get that back. We showed more belief in the second half and had more entries into their 18-yard box which we actually caused Liverpool a few problems.

“The belief in the second-half was there and if we score one or get two then it would have been a totally different story. Our substitutes and a change of system at half-time have made a massive difference to the way we played in the second half. We started to press high and caused them problems on the flanks but it wasn’t meant to be.”

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PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD