When the Crystal Palace midfielder My Cato found herself with the ball on the left, in the first minute at the VBS Community Stadium, the Everton defence followed, three of the back four shifting across and then looking back over their shoulders in horror as an unmarked Indiah-Paige Riley controlled the pass from Cato in the middle before slotting home.
If there was a moment to symbolise Everton’s woes this season this was it, their defensive structure collapsing in an instant against Palace before the game had really begun. It was the fifth time in seven Women’s Super League games that the injury-hit side had conceded inside 15 minutes, four of those coming inside eight minutes. Against a Chelsea or a Manchester United, that can be forgiven to some extent, but that the other three early concessions have come against their fellow relegation battlers Leicester, West Ham and now Palace, cannot.
Everton are in big trouble, and the point they walked away with will feel like a point rescued, but against promoted Palace that should spark only greater concern. Palace were unlucky not to record their second win of the season – they had the better chances and were not seriously troubled by Everton until they conceded in the 71st minute. Honoka Hayashi, who was the visiting team’s biggest threat, leapt and sent her header in with the centre-back Katrine Veje statue-like.
As a result of Palace’s organised start to life in the WSL, there is no room for complacency at the bottom. Last year, Bristol City provided a cushion for the rest, operating on a significantly smaller budget and with a team scrambled together when their former manager Lauren Smith took charge, their one win and three draw for six points giving those above some breathing room. The season prior it was a beleaguered Reading, who reverted to being a part-time operation after their relegation, that propped up the table.
West Ham’s first win of the season was needed, then, and was enough to pull them level on five points with their opponents, Leicester, and Palace. It was a deserved victory for Rehanne Skinner’s side, who took the lead through Viviane Asseyi in added time at the end of the first half.
The Hammers dominated, with Katrina Gorry effective, and their second goal of the season was a stylish reward. The Colombian forward Manuela Pavi sent a perfectly weighted ball through to Asseyi who went around the keeper Janina Leitzig before scoring.
Aston Villa will be pleased with a goalless draw at Manchester United in the late game on Sunday, with a point taking them back off bottom spot ahead of Everton on goal difference. Only Everton and Villa remain winless in the WSL, but only six points separate sixth and 12th. For West Ham and Palace there is the chance to pull away with the kinder fixtures before the winter break. For Leicester and Everton points before Christmas would be a huge boost, with the former facing both Manchester clubs and then Chelsea and not meeting a relegation rival until February. Meanwhile, Everton play Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City before they kick off the new year against Villa, West Ham and Leicester. With no cannon fodder at the bottom, the relegation battle is shaping up to be fascinating.
