By Lloyd Boateng
Arsenal’s dominance proved too strong for Crystal Palace as Renee Slegers’s side strolled to a 4 – 0 win on Sunday afternoon.
Thanks to BCOMS Academy, I had the opportunity to attend a WSL match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at the VBS Community Stadium. A record-breaking 2,885 fans turned up to watch an action-packed London derby.
Arsenal took the lead in the 14th minute with a fantastic volley from England international Beth Mead, her 50th WSL goal for the club.
Arsenal dominated the majority of possession as Crystal Palace struggled to gain a foothold in the game.
Alessia Russo extended Arsenal’s lead in the 25th minute after capitalising on a mistake from the Palace defence to slot past Shae Yanez.
Arsenal’s opening two goals under 30 minutes knocked Crystal Palace’s belief, and they had the chance to cut the deficit, but Katie Stengel missed the target.
The first half ended, and Arsenal went into half-time comfortably 2 – 0 up. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace had much work to do going into the second half.
Ashleigh Weerden had an effort which sailed over van Domselar’s goal in the 55th minute.
Leif Smerud’s side were resolute early in the second half as they restricted Arsenal to minimal chances.
Arsenal all but killed off the game in the 77th minute from an unfortunate own goal from Crystal Palace captain Allyson Swaby. Chloe Kelly powered her way into the six-yard box, and Swaby inadvertently directed her cross into her own net.
Deep into stoppage time, Beth Mead grabbed her brace to seal the icing on the cake for Renee Slegers’s side with a fantastic long-range effort past Shae Yanez to seal a comfortable 4 – 0 victory for Arsenal.
Crystal Palace remain bottom of the WSL table, four points behind Aston Villa who picked up a crucial 2 – 1 win away to Liverpool. Crystal Palace will face Chelsea at Kingsmeadow after the international break, and meanwhile, Arsenal will prepare for a huge UEFA Women’s Champions League first-leg semi-final tie against record holders Lyon at the Emirates Stadium.
