Crystal Palace re-energised off the back of long-awaited victory says Smerud | OneFootball

Crystal Palace manager Leif Smerud says that his side have been re-energised by their victory against Aston Villa last time out.

The Eagles defeated The Villans 3-1 at the VBS Community Stadium in Sutton last weekend. That result ended a 12-match sequence without a win, boosting Crystal Palace’s Barclays Women’s Super League survival hopes in the process.

Crystal Palace’s next fixture is against Everton on Saturday. When speaking to WSL Full-Time ahead of the trip to Walton Hall Park, Crystal Palace boss Smerud said that his players have had an extra spring in their step on the training ground this week following their victory last time out.

“I was very impressed [with the win against Aston Villa] because high-pressure games like that are not easy,” Smerud said. “The team have had a tough season coming from many bad experiences, especially at the end of games where they’ve lost some points, so to manage to ride the storm, perform and get the result impressed me because mentally, it’s a demanding place for the team and players to be.

“Of course, it brings a lot of energy. That has been noticeable amongst the players this week and now it is about resetting, which we have done, and going again.”

Three different players got their names on the scoresheet against Aston Villa and Smerud is hopeful that Crystal Palace can take their goalscoring form forward.

He said “I think there are goals in this team and they’ve proved it. We scored different goals; a set-piece goal which was nice. On the counter, I think we can be dangerous with the players that we have.

“It will be about finding ways to use those strengths in the team well. We did that well against Aston Villa and now we have to do that again against Everton.”

Going on to discuss latest opponents Everton, Smerud highlighted The Toffees’ unpredictability but says that his side are capable of bringing points back to South London.

He said “They’re a well-coached team with many strengths to play on. They are a good team on the ball and they have different ways to play and set-up. The way that they have developed over time has been good.

“I am confident that we can go up there and give them a fight but we will see. It’ll be a very interesting game.”

Crystal Palace’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture at Everton kicks-off at 2pm on Saturday afternoon.