Malard scores twice as Chelsea come from behind to beat Palace

Chelsea came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-1 in the Women's Super League on 25 October, and Melvine Malard scored both of the goals that turned the game.

The Women's Super League is the top division of women's football in England. Palace were the team in front first, through Molly Bartrip, and Chelsea looked flat for much of the first half. Chelsea FC say they came out after the break a different side.

Malard, who joined Chelsea from Manchester United in July on a four-year contract, took over in the second half. Chelsea FC report that she scored twice after the interval. She also won a penalty, a spot kick awarded when a defender fouls an attacker inside the box.

Sandy Baltimore, who came on from the bench, took that penalty and scored it. Chelsea FC list it as Chelsea's third goal, and the win sealed a comeback that had looked unlikely at the break.

The result takes Chelsea's unbeaten start to the season to seven matches. Chelsea are eight-time WSL champions, so a start like this is what the club expects, but seven games without defeat still matters in a league where every point counts over a long season.

For Palace, it was a hard afternoon at The 360 Engage Stadium. They led, they had their chances to keep the advantage, and they went down 3-1 at home. Crystal Palace FC confirmed the scoreline and Bartrip's goal in their match report.

Manager Sonia Bompastor spoke afterwards about Malard's goals and the change in the second half. The quotes from that conversation show a team that found its rhythm once the game opened up.

Chelsea now move on with a settled forward line and a winning habit. Palace go back to the drawing board, with a lot of the first half to think about.