Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City: Eagles outclassed by Citizens

Crystal Palace were outclassed by Manchester City at Selhurst Park as the Eagles continued their miserable start to life at home in the WSL.

Laura Kaminski's side have failed to score points in their opening three home matches, with life on the road proving more fruitful for the Super League freshers.

The Citizens showed their attacking intent from the first minute, with Bunny Shaw pouncing on Shanade Hopcroft's sloppy backpass to test Shae Yanez in the opening seconds.

It was all City in South London, but Palace stood firm, showing tenacity and spirit, keeping the side from Manchester at bay.

Lauren Hemp showed her masterful creativity throughout the first half. Her best effort came as she danced to the edge of the box and unleashed an effort from range that trickled past the post.

City continued to push as they sought an opener. Palace provided the occasional threat on the counter, but nothing notable with the Mancunian defence marshalling the Eagles.

Palace's perseverance in defence was admirable, but the visitor's quality shone through just before half time. Receiving the ball 30 yards from goal, Jess Park took no time to rocket a right-footed effort into the far corner. The finish was sensational as City took a deserved lead, but My Cato had to do better in shutting the England international down.

Besides Kato's misstep and Park's show of pure quality, Palace had competed well in a courageous first half showing. After the break, however, the discrepancy in class became ever clear.

The Citizens took just five minutes to net their second, Felicity Gibbons failed to deal with a looping cross into the box as her attempt of a block fell straight to Jill Roord. Palace had six players camped in the penalty area, yet not one could pick up the midfielder, who easily drove her left-footed effort into the bottom corner.

The Eagles had a perfect opportunity to peg one back on the hour mark. Ashleigh Weerden did excellently down the left, leaving the City full-back for dead. The substitute squared the ball to Katie Stengel, who struck the post from a matter of yards. It bounced back to Annabel Blanchard, but the attacker spilt her attempt wide.

Gareth Taylor's league leaders wrapped up their three points in style, as Shaw found the Citizens third with 73 minutes on the clock, dispatching a precise header from Park's cross.

Positively for Palace, their performance in the first half has given them something to build on. They went head-to-head with one of the top-flight's supreme sides and kept them at bay for a prolonged period.

Next up for the Eagles is a crucial six-pointer against Everton at the VBS on Sunday.