‘Sloppy goals’ – Palace boss Dean Davenport on 5-1 loss to London City Lionesses

Crystal Palace manager Dean Davenport did not believe their 5-1 defeat at London City Lionesses was a fair reflection of Sunday’s encounter.

A brace from Amy Rodgers helped the visitors thrash the hosts at Hayes Lane.

Charlotte Fleming, Mollie Rouse and an own goal from Grace Coombs settled the game for the visitors as they continue to keep the pressure on Liverpool at the top of the Women’s Championship.

“We gave far too many sloppy goals away but one thing I will say is that I don’t really believe it was a 5-1 game,” said Davenport.

“We played some positive stuff but if we are going to give away the goals and chances we have given away today, we deserve to be punished.

“London City Lionesses are a good side but we started really well and pressed really well.

“You saw a new energy from us today which was good for the first half-hour and to concede the goal against the run of play, again from sloppiness, shouldn’t have happened.

“It put us on the back foot but like I said, our team never gave up and that’s one thing I am proud of despite the scoreline not reflecting it.”

It was a third defeat in Palace’s last four league games.

Lionesses threatened in the opening stages, Rouse whipping in an inch-perfect cross which was cleared by the Palace backline.

Melissa Phillips’ side continued their dominant start and some great link-up play between Rouse and Atlanta Primus forced Palace goalkeeper Emily Orman into a smart save.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the18th minute through Fleming, who sent a right-footed strike into the bottom left-corner to give Lionesses a deserved lead.

Lionesses doubled their lead shortly afterwards when Rodgers was left unmarked and curled the ball into the roof of the net from the right-hand corner of the box.

And it was 3-0 inside 25 minutes when Davenport’s side failed to clear their lines following an inswinging corner which was eventually deflected into her own net by Coombs.

Shae Yanez produced a string of outstanding saves from Millie Farrow at the end of the first half as Palace threatened a response but Lionesses stretched their lead after the break when Rouse headed home from Shanade Hopcroft’s resulting corner.

Palace immediately pulled a goal back as Farrow ran on to Bianca Baptiste’s wonderful defence-splitting pass before firing home.

In the 61st minute, Karin Muya delivered a dangerous cross to Rodgers, who slotted the ball past Orman for her second goal of the game to secure all three points.

To follow the action and sign up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage, visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com