Liverpool started life in the post Matt Beard era with a 1-0 victory over table proppers Crystal Palace away in South London on Sunday afternoon. Gemma Evans’ goal in the 8th minute of the match was enough to earn Liverpool all three points.
In a strange coincidence both Crystal Palace and Liverpool sacked their managers in the week leading up to this encounter. While Liverpool have handed the reigns to Amber Whitely on an interim basis, Crystal Palace have already appointed a replacement for Laura Kaminski with Norwegian Leif Smerud placed in charge.
Crystal Palace made four changes from the side that lost 3-1 away at Manchester United prior to the international break. Danish duo Mille Gejl and Katrine Veje were both left out after they picked up injuries during the break and in their place came Annabel Blanchard and Abbie Larkin. There was also a change between the sticks as Milla-Maj Majasaari was dropped with Shae Yañez returning to the starting eleven.
Liverpool also made four changes from Matt Beard’s last team selection and the side that lost 4-0 to Manchester City. Leanne Kiernan was out with a calf injury while Lucy Parry, Jenna Clark and Tegan Micah all dropped to the bench. In their place came Olivia Smith, who was returning from suspension, alongside her was Cornelia Kapocs, Gemma Bonner and Rachel Laws.
The Line ups:
CRY: Yañez, Woodham, Swaby, Green, Riley, Cato, Potter, Blanchard, Larisey, Weerden, Larkin
LIV: Laws, Matthews, Fisk, Bonner, Hinds, Höbinger, Kerr, Holland, Smith, Kapocs, Roman Haug
The Action:
The first dangerous chance of the afternoon came for the visitors, Ceri Holland’s wicked ball into the box was headed fiercely goalward by Marie Höbinger but the ball flashed wide. Liverpool were doing much of the early running in the match and soon their pressure would tell. Before the 10 minute mark Palace struggled to deal with a corner into the box, after a few ineffectual swings at the ball from both sides the ball fell to Jasmine Matthews who fired the ball home, 1-0 to Liverpool.
Liverpool continued to threaten after taking the lead, shortly after Sophie Roman Haug headered just over the Crystal Palace crossbar. After Annabel Blanchard gave the ball away in her own half, Höbinger fired an effort just wide from outside the box. Crystal Palace were struggling to threaten Liverpool but they began to warm up as the half drew on. Their first shot on the Liverpool goal came in the 37th minute as Ashleigh Weerden’s near post effort was stopped by Rachel Laws.
Crystal Palace had their best chance of the game with a minute to play in the first half. Palace, who were able to play through the Liverpool press for the first time had Blanchard on the ball outside the area. Palace’s number 10 played a perfectly weighted through ball to the onrushing Abbie Larkin, through on goal Laws got down magnificently to prevent an equaliser.
Crystal Palace began the second half with more urgency but their attacking intent soon plateaued. Liverpool should have been further ahead 10 minutes into the second half. A wonderful winding run from Cornelia Kapocs found the Swede in the Palace box her initial shot was parried in the six yard box but it bounced invitingly back into her path in front of an empty net. Kapocs, off balance with the goal gaping got under the ball and lifted her shot over the bar. Palace were having some joy attacking down the right side, with Larkin, My Cato and Lexi Potter combining well even if they were struggling to create a chance worthy of note.
Crystal Palace were pushing for their second 1-1 draw against Liverpool this season but efforts from India Riley and My Cato were brilliantly blocked by Kapocs and Evans. Liverpool came forward in response with just over 20 minutes left to play. A brilliant pass from Oliva Smith found Mia Enderby on the wing, she pulled the ball back into the box which just evaded Kapocs. In clearing the ball Cato bounced the ball against her own post, a frantic goal mouth scramble ensued before the ball was stabbed away from danger.
The match was becoming stretched with Smith coming close to extending the Palace lead firing just wide of the mark from a tricky angle inside the box. A late double save from Laws from Cato would all but secure victory for Liverpool.
Crystal Palace are yet to win at home this season, now winless now in 12 league matches and they face Chelsea in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup next weekend before a huge relegation six pointer the following weekend when they welcome second last Aston Villa to South London.
Victory saw Liverpool leapfrog Tottenham into 6th place in the table and helped Amber Whitely’s spell as Liverpool’s interim boss get off to a great start. Next up for Liverpool is Arsenal in the quarter finals of the FA Cup.
The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Allyson Swaby
A valuable asset for Crystal Palace and a great January signing, she led from the back extremely well, composed on the ball and aware of danger without her Palace could have been behind by more. The Eagles will need the Jamaican’s talents for the rest of the season if they are to stay in the division.
