Women’s football round-up: Palace rock bottom of WSL after heavy loss to Arsenal
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk
Crystal Palace resumed their Women’s Super League season with a heavy 5-0 defeat at second-placed Arsenal on Sunday.
Leah Williamson gave the Gunners the lead after five minutes.
Four second-half goals – including a brace from Mariona Caldentey – kept the Eagles rooted to the bottom of the table.
Laura Kaminski’s side have only won once in the league all season and have lost their last four outings in the top flight.
The Eagles have conceded 31 times in the league – seven more than any other side.
Kaminski said: “At the moment, we have no problems with motivation. I know it seems like that from the outside looking in after a heavy loss, but we know how difficult it is to come here and compete against a side who are in and around the Champions League and are in a different place to us.
“We have to keep focused that these games are something we always fight and compete to get something out of but, for me, there’s things around the corner where we’ve got to really focus our attention.
“Unfortunately that’s the level and the sharp end of the game that emotionally we have to stay controlled and know that the positives around the corner for us, we’ve got to go after games that we can go after in and around us.”
Charlton Athletic ended their five-game winless run in the Championship with a 2-1 win at Durham on Sunday.
Kayleigh Barton and Atlanta Primus netted to give the Addicks a 2-0 lead.
Rebecca Salicki pulled one back for the hosts in the 96th minute.
London City Lionesses stayed one point behind league leaders Birmingham in the Championship after a 1-0 win at fellow title-hopefuls Bristol City on Sunday.
Megan Campbell scored in the 62nd minute for Jocelyn Precheur’s side to claim back-to-back league wins.
AFC Wimbledon were knocked out of the Capital Cup by Arsenal’s academy on Sunday after suffering a 3-2 defeat.
Dior Knorr and Ashlee Hincks scored in the final 10 minutes of the game despite the Dons being 3-0 down.
Millwall Lionesses beat Sport London E Benfica on Sunday as they progressed through to the next round of the League Cup.
Ted Jones’ side were 1-0 down after the first half, but Liv McGregor scored in the 71st minute to draw the game level.
Mia Lockett booked their place in the next round with two minutes of normal time left to play.
Chelsea strengthened their position at the top of the Super League table as they produced a convincing 5-0 win at West Ham.
Catarina Macario, Erin Cuthbert, Aggie Beever-Jones and Sandy Baltimore all found the back of the net for Sonia Bompastor, with Hammers defender turning the ball into her own goal for a late fifth.
The Blues are seven points clear of Arsenal before the two sides meet tomorrow at Stamford Bridge.
“We played with intensity from the beginning and we were able to score quickly, which makes a big difference when you play against these types of teams,” said Sonia Bompastor, who is still unbeaten as Blues boss.
“When you are efficient and you don’t give any hope to your opposition, that’s why you make the game look easier. I need to give credit to my players, they made the right start.
“I really enjoyed watching my team play and scoring some great goals. We created a lot of opportunities and different players scored goals – it shows all the quality I have in my squad.”
PICTURE: ALAMY