Crystal Palace maintain perfect start with 3-0 win over Coventry United
Molly Sharpe’s sublime strike helped Crystal Palace continue their perfect start in the Women’s Championship, defeating a determined Coventry United 3-0 at Hayes Lane on Saturday.
The points were sealed in the second half with goals from Annabel Blanchard and Elise Hughes, as Dean Davenport’s side seek to build on last season’s fourth place finish.
Blanchard and Hughes were two of the summer signings who showcased why Palace are tipped for promotion in front of a raucous home crowd.
However, it was not the one-sided affair some had predicted, with Katy Morris marshalling counter attacks that challenged talk of a relegation battle for Coventry because of off-field struggles.
Picture : Keith Gillard
Picture : Keith Gillard
The hosts set the tone early when new signing Chloe Arthur pounced on a ball bouncing in the box, although she could only slash her effort wide.
But Palace’s attack struggled against a courageous defence and were almost punished on the counter by Morris with strong hands needed from keeper Fran Kitching.
However, a minute from the break, Anna Filbey cut through the United defence and played the on-running Sharpe, who scored at the near post with a thundering strike.
The second half continued at pace, but Palace never looked in danger, and their domination paid off in the 63rd minute when Blanchard received the ball in the box, took a neat touch at the angle, and curled home.
Picture : Keith Gillard
In the final minute another effort from Blanchard was saved by Jodie Whiteman, but she could only palm the ball to substitute Elise Hughes for a three-goal Palace victory.
To follow the action and sign up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League and Championship coverage visit https://faplayer.thefa.com/home/all
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