It was Southampton that got off to the perfect start, with Ellie Brazil's dangerous ball being tapped in by Michaela McAlonie from close range. The Eagles did not take long to respond though, with Abbie Larkin grabbing Palace's first goal of the season on 24 minutes. The winger took it first-time, and arrowed her shot into the bottom left corner to equalise for Palace. Excellent pressing from Kirsty Howat forced a Palace corner, which was crossed in perfectly by Ashleigh Weerden. Her inswinging corner found the head of Vanhaevermaet, who nodded in to score on her home debut and put Palace into the lead.