As the below graphic shows the average position of both elevens during that first half was in and around the halfway line.
A game of few chances but crucially Everton were able to take one of theirs.
BBC Sport
- Everton have a record of W3, D0, L0 in the Women’s Super League this season when scoring the opening goal at home.
- Crystal Palace have a record of W0, D1, L9 in the Women’s Super League this season after conceding the opening goal.
A big team talk ahead for Eagles boss Leif Smerud…
The hosts lead at the break thanks to Justine Vanhaevermaet’s towering header.
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You feel the half time whistle can’t come quickly enough for Crystal Palace.
They’ve gone into panic mode in the last few minutes and can’t seem to deal with the presence of Everton’s Justine Vanhaevermaet at corners.
How is that not 2-0?
Justine Vanhaevermaet gets her head on another corner at the back post but she is denied by Shae Yanez.
The loose ball falls into the six yard box but Martina Fernandez’s toe poke is deflected over the bar.
Almost a second in double quick time for the hosts as Toni Payne bursts down the left wing and gets around her marker before firing at goal.
Palace keeper Shae Yanez stands tall though to parry it away.
Breakthrough!
Sara Holmgaard floats a corner into the middle and the towering figure of Justine Vanhaevermaet gets her head to it first.
She nods it goalwards and neither of the two Palace defenders on the line can keep it out.
Everton in front.
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Abbie Larkin, who was originally listed as a sub for this game, embarks on a busy run, leaving several Everton midfielders in her wake.
She gets into a good central position about 30 or so yards out and decides to shoot but it’s a routine stop for Courtney Brosnan.
Lily Woodham crosses in from the left but Martina Fernandez beats several Palace players to it in the box to head clear for the hosts.
Yanez is back on her feet and looks like she will continue for now.
Everton full back Sara Holmgaard will get us restarted with a throw in on the far side.
Good high pressing from Everton yields a cheer from the home crowd.
They won’t be able to build on that bright note in the short term though because Crystal Palace keeper Shae Yanez has gone down in need of treatment.
PA Media
Crystal Palace boss Leif Smerud will be very happy with how his side have performed in this opening half an hour or so.
Everton have run league leaders Chelsea and Arsenal close in the WSL in recent weeks but they have hardly threatened Shae Yanez’ goal this afternoon.
Everton work the ball down the left before Sara Holmgaard crosses into the middle.
She goes for a looping ball to the back post this time but Toni Payne can’t climb high enough to get her head on it.
Sara Holmgaard whips a wicked cross through the six yard box but Kelly Gago is on her heels and can’t catch up to turn it home in the middle.
Honoka Hayashi is upended just inside the Palace half by Josie Green and the hosts have a free kick.
They take it quickly with Kelly Gago trying to pull off a one-two with Katja Snoejis on the edge of the box but Eagles skipper Allyson Swaby steps in and thumps the ball clear.
This feels like a really big game for Palace. Larisey, Swaby and Nouwen look like great signings. If we win, we must believe we can beat the drop.
Phil
Clarissa Larisey pops up on the right hand side and gets to the byline but her cut back is cut out by Justine Vanhaevermaet.
PA Media
Pass, pass, pass from Everton but they’re not doing much with the ball so far.
Striker Kelly Gago has had just six touches of the ball, none of which have come in the Palace penalty area.
Heather Payne swings a cross into the box for namesake Toni to challenge but the ball ricochets off the Everton forward and out for a goal kick.
Clarissa Larisey has looked bright on the Palace left so far.
She presses high up the field forcing a short back pass from Maren Mjelde and runs in on goal.
She unselfishly looks to square it for a teammate but no one is there to tap home in the middle.
