Mariona Caldentey scores twice as Arsenal breeze past Crystal Palace in WSL

Mariona Caldentey’s brace inspired Arsenal to a 5-0 victory over Women’s Super League bottom side Crystal Palace at Meadow Park.

England captain Leah Williamson’s sixth-minute opener stood until after the break, when Alessia Russo doubled the hosts’ advantage in the 63rd minute.

Russo turned provider for Beth Mead four minutes later before Caldentey added a 75th-minute penalty and then netted her second in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

It was a 12th straight victory across all competitions for Arsenal, and a first since former interim head coach Renee Slegers was announced as the Gunners’ permanent boss.

It was a scrappy start from both sides before Williamson poked home from Katie McCabe’s in-swinging corner.

Palace keeper Shae Yanez came out to claim Mead’s cross, then scrambled out to beat the onrushing Russo, who got a light touch with an outstretched toe.

Daphne van Domselaar was finally called into action by Millie Gejl, who fired low into the Arsenal keeper’s arms.

The Gunners were firmly in control when Palace captain Aimee Everett cleared a loose ball off the line, and the visitors swerved danger again after an unsuccessful nodded clearance.

My Cato had a chance to level when Katie Stengel played her through, but the Swedish midfielder’s touch came off her foot at an awkward angle and it went out for a goal-kick.

Frida Maanum looked to double Arsenal’s lead when she fired over the crossbar, the Gunners remaining firmly in control but unable to find a second by the break after Yanez made a simple stop to deny Caldentey late on.

Emily Fox had a chance to double the hosts’ lead soon after the restart, forcing Yanez into a spilled save before Russo tested the American keeper with a low effort.

Both managers rang changes in the 57th minute, a move that proved prescient for Slegers when Foord quickly got herself involved.

Her sharp effort from the left forced Yanez into a diving stop but the ball came loose, and Russo was there to lift it into the roof of the net.

The Gunners were three goals to the good four minutes later courtesy of Mead, who swept home from the right side of the area from Russo’s pass.

Yanez made a good save to deny Foord from adding one of her own with 20 minutes left before she was barged down by Annabel Blanchard.

Referee Phoebe Cross quickly pointed to the spot and Caldentey stepped up, calmly converting with a low finish.

Palace were largely limited to just a single late chance, while Russo nearly scored a second after six minutes of stoppage time were added on.

Her effort pinged off the far post but into the path of Caldentey, who smashed in her second to seal the comfortable victory!!!!!!!