Albion 2 Palace 1: Seagulls come from behind for third win in eight days

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Caitlin Hayes and Sophie Peskett score second-half goals for third successive home victory in the WSL.

Bruce Talbot

2026-11-01T15:50+00:00

Sophie Peskett is mobbed by her delighted teammates after making it 2-1. 📷Kyle Hemsley

Albion showed great determination to come from behind and claim a third successive home league win for the first time since 2021.

Arturo Ruiz’s side were unlucky to be trailing at the break to Annabel Blanchard’s fine strike from 25 yards.

But Caitlin Hayes headed the equaliser - her fourth goal of the season - on 59 minutes and five minutes later Sophie Peskett celebrated her first WSL start by making it 2-1 from close range. Victory moved Albion up to sixth.

Sophie Peskett celebrates after scoring on her first WSL start for Albion. 📷Kyle Hemsley

Albion had chances for a third in the closing stages but dug in for a third win in the last eight days.

Peskett’s performance demonstrated the strength in depth in the squad. Albion were without Kiko Seike, Jelena Cankovic, Madison Haley, Charlie Rule, Lia Walti and Moeka Minami but thoroughly deserved to win.

Caitlin Hayes is at full stretch but she equalises with a fine header. 📷Kyle Hemsley

Fran Kirby, Olivia Garcia and Manu Vanegas all had chances in the opening half hour and Palace’s goal was against the run of play. Chimaka Nnadozie’s clearance was intercepted by Beth England and played back to Blanchard whose powerful strike flew into the top corner.

Albion regrouped and got back into the game in the 59th minute.

Vanegas did well to win the ball back deep in the Palace half and her cross was headed powerfully past Pauline Peyraud-Magnin by Hayes.

England nearly scored from 30 yards after spotting Nnadozie off her line but Albion were in front on 64 minutes when Joramo’s shot was steered home from close range by Peskett.

Olaug Tvedten packs some power into her first-half shot. 📷Kyle Hemsley

Garcia and Kirby could have stretched the lead in the closing stages as Albion finished the game in control.

Albion: Nnadozie, Vanegas, Hayes, Mpome (sub: Auee 78), Olislagers, Symonds, Joramo, Kirby (Warren 90+4), Tvedten (Rayner 90+1), Garcia, Peskett (Murphy 90+1).

Subs: Loeck, Heeps, George, Gay.

Attendance: 1690