Crystal Palace suffer Southampton setback in FA Women’s Championship

Sophia Pharoah’s first-half finish helped Southampton end a run of four games without a win with a 2-0 triumph over Crystal Palace in the FA Women’s Championship.

Pharoah put Southampton ahead just before half-time with a composed finish.

Both sides had chances after the break, but Southampton scored the game’s second goal through Ella Pusey to wrap up the win.

Rianna Dean sent Hollie Olding through on goal for the game’s first real chance, but the ball was smothered by Southampton goalkeeper Kayla Rendell.

Crystal Palace keeper Fran Kitching made a smart save of her own to deny Ella Morris in the fifth minute.

The Crystal Palace keeper made an even better stop 10 minutes later, denying Morris again but this time from point-blank range.

Paige Bailey-Gayle dragged a shot narrowly wide after a smart cutback from Annabel Blanchard.

And then another cross from Blanchard skimmed the crossbar shortly after.

It looked like the first half was going to end in a stalemate, but some slick Southampton play put Pharoah through on goal, and the midfielder made no mistake with her finish.

After the break, Bailey-Gayle fired a shot just wide of the post.

There was a melee in the box with 22 minutes remaining, and the ball was turned towards the Crystal Palace goal, but Chloe Arthur cleared the ball off the line and the Eagles stayed in the game.

Palace pushed for an equaliser, but Southampton scored again in added time through Pusey to wrap up the win.

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