Palace’s start to the WSL season paints a bleak picture. Two defeats, 11 goals conceded and no goals scored.

But that’s not the complete picture.

In the two defeats against Tottenham and Chelsea, Laura Kaminski’s side performed well in the first half and tested their opponents before fading after the break.

“These nights are hard,” Kaminski said. “We had two games in a row against opponents who could be described as world class.

“For a club that has just been promoted from the second division, it is the most difficult start ever. But I don’t make excuses.”

“We have to be better after halftime, it’s as simple as that.”

While Chelsea work to become multiple trophy winners again under Bompastor, Palace are doing the same to become a WSL team.

Kaminski said these defeats were tests they had to go through in order to improve.

“We created some good chances and caused them some problems,” she added. “To do that against a world-class team is promising and promising.”

“We’re still finding our way and these (first two games) don’t define our season. These are the opportunities we need to improve.”

“The players are disappointed that we lost points, but these are the hard lessons we have to go through to get better and bring these points to the table.”

It was Palace’s first WSL game at Selhurst Park and more than 5,000 spectators were in attendance.

After witnessing a 7-0 competitive defeat, they could be forgiven for showing their frustration, but there was little of it.

Instead, fans chanted “Eagles” late and stayed to applaud Kaminski’s players off the field.

“The fans deserve credit for their response to the way we started this journey,” Kaminski added. “They have an understanding of the level and what this group wants to achieve.

“Not many teams that have just been promoted have back-to-back London derbies to start with, but there are no quiet games. Every game is really, really important for us.”

“However, I have the feeling that the fans stand with us and understand the mammoth task that lies ahead of us.”