WSL: Annabel Blanchard hands Crystal Palace first win over Leicester

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Her Football Hub

·6 October 2024

WSL: Annabel Blanchard hands Crystal Palace first win over Leicester

The third Women’s Super League weekend of the 2024/25 season saw Leicester host Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium.

It was Palace who were victorious. The Eagles overcame the Foxes with two second-half goals from Annabel Blanchard to make history with their first-ever WSL points.

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Starting XIs

Leicester City

Leitzig; Tierney, Bott, Howard, Takarada, Rantala, Mouchon, Cayman, Thibaud, Goodwin, Mace

Crystal Palace

Yanez; Veje Cato, Everett, Blanchard, Weerdon, Green, Potter, Geji, Woodham, Stengl

Blanchard makes Palace history

Leicester looked for their first win in ten matches whilst Palace hoped to gain their first-ever WSL points. The teams saw a combined seven shots fail to hit the target in a cagey first half. Honestly, the highlight was the homemade Ka’ak Asawer I was gifted as the first half ended goalless.

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A livelier half of football saw Leicester bring on attacking player Shana Chossenotte but it failed to gel for the Foxes, as the Eagles swooped to strike first. Great midfield passing took Palace into the Leicester box and a neat one-two between Katie Stengel and the fiery Annabel Blanchard led to a history-making goal for Palace as they secured their first WSL goal.

Some slick passing from Palace saw them again work the ball into the Leicester penalty area. A dangled foot from Ruby Mace saw the Palace player take a tumble as the ref pointed to the spot. Blanchard stepped up and slotted beyond Janina Leitzig to bag her second goal of the match.

The defeat marks Leicester’s 11th match without a win. The Leicester fans began talking with their feet as scores of fans left early following the second goal.

The final score was 2-0 to Crystal Palace who looked slick in midfield throughout the tie. The resolute performance from the WSL newcomers saw them finally pick up a deserved three points.

Coming up next

Crystal Palace face Brighton at home before difficult meetings with Liverpool and Manchester City. Leicester travel away to face Aston Villa ahead of their home clash with Brian Sørensen’s Everton.