Anna Filbey on target as Crystal Palace end Durham unbeaten home record

Anna Filbey scored in a 1-0 Crystal Palace win that ended Durham’s unbeaten home record in 2022-23 at Maiden Castle.

The Eagles were dogged and determined throughout the FA Women’s Championship match with Fran Kitching outstanding in the Palace goal to deny the home side, including a penalty save from Beth Hepple.

The hosts dominated the opening quarter of an hour. Bridget Galloway headed against the bar before Jess Clarke forced a great save from Kitching.

Chances were few and far between for the South London club until the 43rd minute, when Filbey took aim from distance and hit a screamer into the top-left corner.

The North-East side almost hit back immediately from the spot when Sarah Robson was felled, but Kitching made a superb save on to the post to deny Hepple.

It was more of the same after the break, as Durham looked to hit back – twice there was a huge scramble in the box, but both times the ball was cleared away.

Palace held firm despite a late penalty appeal from Rio Hardy, rising tensions between the sides, and a raucous atmosphere, to end a run of three consecutive defeats in all competitions.

Palace’s Molly Sharpe said: “We knew what we were coming into, it’s always difficult coming here. We grinded it out. After our last couple of results, we needed a win. [Durham] had a great night on Wednesday against Man U, we were aware of that but we wanted to come and give it everything today. What a strike from Filbs, she was unreal.

“You’ve got to let go of the negatives and move on as soon as possible, so now we look on to next week and keep moving up the table if we can. You don’t want [the game] to get to the defence, but we know we can trust Fran – that save for the penalty was amazing. She’s just our rock at the back along with the defenders. It’s important just to build on a clean sheet for today, and it’ll just spur us on to get more.”

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PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD