Crystal Palace scored with their first shot of the afternoon, then watched Brighton take the game away from them. Two goals in five minutes after the break gave the Seagulls a deserved 2-1 win in a Women's Super League meeting of two clubs with plenty to prove.
Palace punish a sloppy pass
Brighton had started quickly and had most of the early chances. Maisie Symonds was denied by a fine save from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, and both Fran Kirby and Olaug Tvedten had opportunities of their own. Then came the moment that changed the mood. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie's pass was poor, the ball landed with Hayley Ladd, and she moved it on quickly to Annabel Blanchard. Blanchard curled a shot home from distance in the 34th minute, a surprise lead for a team that had not done much to deserve it.
Hayes and Peskett swing it
Brighton came out after the interval with more urgency and the equaliser arrived in the 59th minute. Manuela Vanegas delivered the cross and Caitlin Hayes headed it in. The home side did not wait long to find the second. Emilie Joramo's low effort looked wayward, but Sophie Peskett got a touch to divert it into the net, and Brighton led within five minutes of Hayes' goal. It felt less like luck than reward for the side that had pushed harder all day.
Palace barely threatened after that. They managed one more shot on target late on and never looked likely to find a way back, which was the clearest sign of how far the game had run away from them.
Where the table leaves both clubs
The win moves Brighton up to sixth, a useful lift in the table. Kirby, who was involved in plenty of the good moments, took the BBC player of the match award, and the comeback will give the squad belief that they can recover from a goal down against sides at the lower end.
For Palace the picture is bleaker. This was their third defeat in a row and they are now without a win in seven games. Leading at half-time and still losing is a hard way to lose, and their next fixtures will need a sharper plan than waiting for one chance to arrive.
Match facts: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Crystal Palace, Women's Super League, Sunday 1 November 2026. Goals: Blanchard 34' (Palace), Hayes 59', Peskett (within five minutes of Hayes' goal; exact minute not stated in the report). Player of the match: Fran Kirby. Brighton are sixth; Palace are winless in seven.
0 Comments