City remain top of WSL table: Five things we learned from Man City 3-0 Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Manchester City remain top of the WSL with a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Goals from Jess Park, Jill Roord and Bunny Shaw extended their unbeaten streak, while Khiara Keating kept a clean sheet in her first league start of the season.

Palace showed signs of promise in front of 2,775 fans, having lost 7-0 to Chelsea here earlier this season, but are still in search of their first WSL goal at Selhurst Park.

Jess Park only scores worldies

Park’s outrageous effort from 25 yards gave City the crucial lead in the 40th minute. The England international seems to love scoring wonder strikes, after her only other goal this season was a volley against Arsenal, named WSL Goal of the Month in September. Park is enjoying a breakout season at Manchester City, starting in five of the first six league games this year. She is becoming an integral part of Gareth Taylor’s midfield, and if she can continue to score goals like that, she will be a mainstay in the team.

Roord back to her best?

Jill Roord capitalised on a loose ball in the box to double City’s lead in the 49th minute, slotting in a well placed finish into the bottom corner. She has now scored in back-to-back league games for the first time since late November 2023. After suffering an ACL injury in January earlier this year, the Dutch international will be extremely pleased by how seamless her reintegration to the squad has been.

City stay top

Man City extended their lead at the top of the table to three points from second place Brighton, although reigning champions Chelsea are just 4 points behind with 2 games in hand. The runners-up from last season are yet to lose a game this season and are looking like serious title contenders once again.

Palace Making Progress

Coming into the game, Crystal Palace had conceded the most goals in the WSL so far, letting in 13 goals in just five games. While they did let in three goals today, it took a world-class strike late in the first half to break down their resilient defence. Having lost 7-0 to the champions earlier in the season, Laura Kaminski will be pleased to see how her team have responded defensively. Going forward, Palace looked threatening on the break, with Katie Stengel hitting the post in the 65th minute. Despite the loss, the Eagles did not back down against the league leaders.

Khiara Keating returns

Keating started her first Women’s Super League game of the season and kept a clean sheet. The 20-year-old had a breakout season for Man City last year, winning the Golden Glove award after keeping nine clean sheets in the league. Despite establishing herself as City’s regular stopper last season, new signing Ayaka Yamashita has been preferred to her in the opening five WSL games. Keating was assured on the ball and showed that she can be a reliable option in goal when called upon.