Waldie goal earns Crystal Palace a 2-1 win over Sunderland

Lizzie Waldie’s strike nine minutes from time gave Crystal Palace a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Sunderland yesterday in the FA Women’s Championship.

The hosts took the lead through Liz Ejupi but Annabel Blanchard equalised for the visitors before Waldie struck late to hand them back-to-back wins.

After the first half an hour had passed with few chances created, the deadlock was broken when Ejupi tapped home a simple rebound on 37 minutes after Frances Kitching parried Jessica Brown’s effort.

Palace rallied, having been second best to that point, and levelled five minutes later though Blanchard’s excellent first-time finish into the bottom corner.

The South London outfit should have taken the lead just before the break when Molly Sharpe delivered a delicious cross to the back post but Elise Hughes could not make contact.

Ejupi had a good opportunity to add to her tally on 56 minutes as she broke into the area but Aimee Everett recovered just in time to block her effort.

The visitors’ next big chance fell to Sharpe with 15 minutes left as the ball broke kindly for her in the area following a scramble but she directed the ball wide with the goal at her mercy.

Waldie was in the right place at the back post to poke home from a corner and give Palace the lead with time running out.

The home side were unable to hit back and suffered their first defeat in four league games, and first at home since February 12.

Blanchard said: “It was a good result all round.

“We stuck to our game plan today – obviously Sunderland had their chances as well but overall, a good three points. Elise has just been bantering with me – she said she’s assisted me four times this year already.

“It was good play from the team all round, we kept the ball well in the build-up and then came a good turn from Elise and a good goal from there.

“It’s never easy going 1-0 down but the togetherness the squad has got shone through today. To come back and win the game is very good.”

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