Crystal Palace Women win crucial clash of bottom two | OneFootball

Ashleigh Weerden, who doubled Crystal Palace’s lead. (Alexander Canillas/SPP)

Crystal Palace won the Barclays Women’s Super League basement battle with Aston Villa, Brighton got the only goal of the game away to Spurs.

Crystal Palace 3-1 Aston Villa (Att: 1,130) Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Crystal Palace gave their survival hopes a big boost by beating Aston Villa, to move within a single point of the Villains although with a worse goal difference.

Villa had a couple of shots drop over the crossbar but when Palace forced a corner, Aniek Nouwen’s header went in from Allyson Swaby’s delivery despite the efforts of a defender on the line.

The lead was doubled early in the second half, Katie Stengel winning possession and finding Ashleigh Weerden, who fired home across goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo from outside the box.

Villa’s Jordan Nobbs hit the crossbar with a long-range strike, then her wide free kick had to be cleared off the line by Lily Woodham.

With five minutes of the 90 left, Lucy Parker halved the deficit as Palace failed to deal with a corner.

Stengel made sure of the points for the hosts, netting from outside the box deep into added time.

Fran Kirby of Brighton & Hove Albion is challenged by Eveliina Summanen of Tottenham Hotspur. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images)

Brighton went back up above Liverpool to fifth spot with a win away to Spurs, who are now five points short of Albion.

Marisa Olislagers brought a flying save out of Spurs’ keeper Lize Kop but in the 42nd minute, Fran Kirby slotting home a cut-back from Rachel McLauchlan.

Emma Morris had a half-chance to level in added time but put her shot over the bar.

Late winner for London City Lionesses, Portsmouth Women off the bottom