Women’s football: Crystal Palace suffer WSL survival setback as Filis bags Charlton late leveller against Championship leaders Birmingham

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Crystal Palace missed the chance to move off the bottom of the Women’s Super League table as they suffered a 3-0 defeat at Everton on Saturday.

The Eagles beat fellow strugglers Aston Villa last time out to secure Leif Smerud’s first victory since replacing Laura Kaminski as boss, but they were unable to follow that up with back-to-back wins for the first time since winning promotion last season.

Palace are one point behind Villa but are running out of games – five – to save their top-flight status.

Smerud’s side host second-placed Arsenal, who have won their last five league outings, on Sunday.

“Even though it doesn’t look like it on the scoreboard, it was quite a close game,” said Smerud on the Everton defeat.

“They scored first from a set piece. We faced a diamond today, so we had to make some adjustments. It is difficult to do those in play with a new team. They got their second just after half-time, which made it difficult for us.

“We had some good chances as well, so it’s important not to be too down emotionally now.

“There are things we did better in this game than we have done before and there are things we have to improve.

“We’re building and continuing that process. There are more players back this week.

“They need the sharpness back and we need to get them into good form.

“We will work on that this week, and we look forward to the Arsenal game. We will be big underdogs but that will be a good position to come from.

“We can build on what we have been doing in the last few weeks and take it from there. We will keep fighting.”

Erin Cuthbert scored a 91st-minute winner at Manchester City as Chelsea placed one hand on the Super League title.

Brazilian forward Kerolin gave City the lead before half-time, but Aggie Beaver-Jones and Cuthbert scored in the second half to keep Chelsea’s eight-point advantage at the top of the league.

“I’m really pleased with the result,’ said Blues boss Sonia Bompastor.

“It was a really important three points, really important for us to stay at the top of the league and to keep the lead by eight points from Arsenal.

“We started well the first 15 minutes. After we were not consistent enough, I just reminded my players [at half-time] what the game plan was.

“I wanted them to be able to execute the game plan. I also told them I wanted to see more belief going into the second half.

“We created a lot in the second half, 24 shots on goal, their keeper made really great saves. We could have maybe scored more, but two was enough to win the game.”

Mel Filis scored a 91st-minute equaliser as Charlton picked up a point against Championship leaders Birmingham at The Valley on Sunday.

The Addicks went behind after 14 minutes through Lee Geum-min but Karen Hills’ side fought back to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches in the second tier. Charlton are third and six points behind Birmingham.

The stalemate in South London has opened the door for Hayes Lane-based London City Lionesses to move into pole position for the league title.

Jocelyn Precheur’s side, who have a game in hand compared to their league rivals, stayed second and moved one point behind Birmingham after a 4-0 win over Sheffield United.

Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Kosovare Asllani gave London City a 2-0 lead in the first half, with Grace Neville and Georgia Brougham wrapping up the three points in the second 45.

London City play Birmingham on the final day of the season.

AFC Wimbledon saw off bottom-of-the-table Milton Keynes 3-0 in their penultimate game of the FA Women’s National League South season.

Kevin Foster’s side claimed all three points at Stadium MK through a goal from Ashlee Hincks and a brace from Ellie Dorey.

Millwall Lionesses claimed a late 2-2 draw against Newhaven on Sunday.

Ted Jones’ side went ahead through Maisie Joyce after 13 minutes but found themselves 2-1 down in the 72nd minute.

Liv McGregor scored in the 85th minute to rescue a point.

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