Crystal Palace Women were beaten 3-2 by Southampton in the third game of the Subway Players Cup league phase, despite Annabel Blanchard scoring twice for the Eagles on the south coast.
Jo Potter made nine changes from the side that started Sunday's defeat by West Ham, with Hayley Ladd making her first start of the season. Palace made a bright opening in Eastleigh, taking the lead after eight minutes when Molly-Mae Sharpe won possession and found Blanchard, who calmly finished into the bottom-left corner.
Southampton levelled through Freya Jupp's counter-attacking goal before Palace regained the advantage shortly after the restart. Kirsty Howat was fouled inside the Saints' penalty area and Blanchard converted the resulting spot-kick for her second of the afternoon.
The hosts turned the game around before half-time, with Ellie Brazil and Megan Collett scoring in quick succession to put Southampton 3-2 ahead at the interval. Palace made three changes during the break, bringing on Bethany England, Abbie Larkin and Sierra Enge for Shannon O'Brien, Blanchard and Ladd.
Larkin and Sharpe both went close from inside the box in the second half, but Southampton held on to secure the victory. The result represents Palace's first defeat in the Players Cup this season and leaves them fifth in the competition's league phase.
Palace's next fixture is a Women's Super League meeting with Chelsea.
