Elise Hughes hits treble as Crystal Palace earn 3-1 victory at Blackburn Rovers

Elise Hughes’ dazzling hat-trick helped Crystal Palace to three points on the road at Blackburn Rovers.  

The visitors showed nothing but dominance in the first half as Isabella Sibley crossed for Elise Hughes to power a glancing header in the top corner to give the Eagles the lead after 13 minutes.

Palace nearly doubled their lead moments later as Annabel Blanchard’s pull-back was met by Shauna Guyatt, but she saw her shot well blocked by Jade Richards.

Blanchard struck the crossbar with a header before the South London side deservedly went 2-0 ahead moments before the break.

Coral-Jade Haines robbed the Rovers backline and squared for Hughes, who drilled into the top left corner.

That seemed to spark Rovers into action and Megan Hornby showed a turn of pace but drove her shot at Fran Kitching.

Rovers started the second half with fight and intensity as Hornby crossed for Saffron Jordan ,who struggled to find her feet and seal the finish.  

Hughes bagged a well-deserved hat-trick in the 53rd minute when Anna Filbey put a low cross in and the striker kept close to the near post to tap in.

Rovers were handed a lifeline when an innocuous penalty was awarded against Aimee Everett for a foul on Jordan. The forward stepped up and smashed the penalty into the net.

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD