How Do You Stop the Gunners at the Emirates? Ask Captain Aimee Everett
Who writes this script?
If you told any rational football observer before kickoff that Crystal Palace would march into the imposing concrete bowl of the Emirates Stadium, surrender 80 percent of the football, and walk away with a clean sheet and a point, they would have questioned your sanity. Yet, here the Eagles stand, maintaining an unbeaten start to the Women’s Super League campaign and refusing to concede a single goal across their opening two outings.
Captain Aimee Everett marshalled her backline with absolute mastery, earning the Barclays Player of the Match accolade after a defensive masterclass that left North London stunned.
“My Smile Says It All”
Speaking to Palace TV amid the euphoric aftermath of the full-time whistle, the skipper could barely hide her delight at a monumental result against elite opposition.
“I think my smile says it all,” Everett beamed. “To come here to the Emirates and get a point off one of the best teams in the world is huge. We defended for most of the game and showed a whole team performance.”
Palace spent the vast majority of the afternoon under intense siege, but Everett insisted the heroic rearguard action stretched far beyond just the defenders and the goalkeeper.
“It’s huge for our first away game of the season,” Everett added, reflecting on the momentum built from opening-week success. “Last week we got our three points against Everton, and we knew that coming here we could still get something. Today showed it’s not just the back line and a keeper. Right from back to front, we were unbelievable. Everyone dug in, did their job, and I think we deserve to come out with that point from just our defensive efforts.”
Flying Under the Radar
Naturally, external doubts have followed Jo Potter’s rebuilt squad into the top flight, but the skipper issued a firm reminder that this Palace side harbours serious ambition.
“Yeah, massively [underrated],” Everett admitted when asked about expectations. “We weren’t happy two seasons ago. We’ve obviously got a completely different team now, and we know we are capable of so much more. We just go again next week. Each week’s a new week. We’ve got Tottenham, another big game at Selhurst Park.”
Everett also reserved special praise for the travelling Palace faithful, who drowned out the home support throughout the afternoon.
“They were massive,” she said. “Obviously the Arsenal fans are huge, and again, we’re away from home, but I could only hear one team out there.”
Next Up: Selhurst Park Awaits
The momentum rolls immediately into another massive London derby. Tottenham visit Selhurst Park this coming Sunday, 20th September, with kick-off scheduled for 14:00 BST. Tickets remain available for supporters wanting to back the Eagles.
