Annabel Blanchard scored 11 goals in 19 appearances for Crystal Palace in the Women's Championship last season
Annabel Blanchard scored twice to deliver Crystal Palace's first ever win in the Women's Super League as they defeated Leicester 2-0 at King Power Stadium.
The WSL newcomers suffered heavy defeats by Tottenham and Chelsea in their opening two games, but Blanchard's clinical 55th-minute strike marked a turnaround in the Eagles' misfortunes.
Blanchard sprinted on to a clever flick from Katie Stengel before burying the ball into the bottom left corner for Palace's first WSL goal.
The English forward then converted from the spot after Ruby Mace recklessly brought down Lexi Potter in the area.
The win lifts Palace off the bottom of the table and into eighth, above Leicester in 10th.
Leicester are still searching for their first win under new boss Amandine Miquel.
Jutta Rantala came closest to an early opener for the Foxes after being put through on goal by Noemie Mouchon, but the Finn's chipped shot over goalkeeper Shae Yanez trickled just wide of the visitors' goal.
Palace tried to make the most of any advances forward in the first half, but Stengel and My Cato's efforts from 25 yards out both lacked the power and direction to trouble Janina Leitzig.
Stengel had more luck after the break, with two powerful strikes calling Leitzig into two brilliant acrobatic saves.
Leicester desperately tried to find a way back into the game after Blanchard's double, but they struggled to fashion any clear-cut chances and Palace were the ones celebrating when the final whistle sounded.
Palace off the mark in debut WSL season
After a scrappy first half, Laura Kaminski's side started to push forward and were finally rewarded when Stengel's slick heel flick found Blanchard and the 23-year-old slotted home.
Keen to hold on to their lead, Palace used attack as their best means of defence and Mace's rash foul in the box further damaged Leicester’s chances as Blanchard netted again.
Kaminski had said before the season started she did not want to lose the "flair" her Palace side had become known for in the Women's Championship last season.
Palace scored 55 goals in 22 league matches in 2023-24 - 16 more than the next best team.
They found it hard to replicate that form in tough fixtures against champions Chelsea and Tottenham as they made their WSL debut.
However, Palace looked dangerous with every advance forward against Leicester, showing glimpses of what they have to offer in the league this season.
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