Crystal Palace 0-0 Sunderland: Palace secure first-ever promotion to WSL with Championship title
Crystal Palace became Women’s Championship champions following a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Sunderland in front of a record crowd of 6,796 at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles entered the match knowing that anything but a complete capitulation would see them into the WSL next season. The point at home, however, confirmed their status as league winners placing them above second-placed Charlton Athletic by a solitary point.
The match itself was testament to just how close the Championship has been all season. The hosts dominated long stretches of the first half but Ellen Jones failed to convert the best chance of the match in Sunderland’s favour as she forced a close-range save from Demi Lambourne in the 43rd minute.
The second half proved more balanced, with chances to go ahead at both ends, but largely the match was fought out in central areas, with both teams equal to the other’s forays forward.
Crystal Palace entered the match with the prospect of a trophy lift and accompanying promotion into the Women’s Super League almost an inevitability. Perched comfortably three points clear at the top of the Championship, a goal difference 22 better off than their closest rivals, Charlton Athletic, all but confirmed the title prior to kick-off.
The hosts made one enforced change from their 2-0 win at Lewes, with Elise Hughes replaced by Araya Dennis after sustaining an ACL. Sunderland opted for a minor reshuffle following home defeat to Charlton, with Libbi McInnes, Katy Watson, and Ellen Jones entering the line-up as Mary McAteer, Liz Ejupi, and Megan Beer dropped to the bench.
It was fittingly a celebratory atmosphere from the off. Sunderland’s pre-kick-off balloon-popping did little to quell a jubilant Selhurst Park, with each successful stamp providing the first cheers of the day.
It did not take much, then, to get the crowd to their feet with two early forays down the right from Dennis instigating fresh rounds of chants to erupt around the stands.
Palace gave much to look forward to for WSL fans next season. Annabel Blanchard remained a constant threat in the number 10 role throughout the match, twisting and turning her way through the Sunderland defence with frightening urgency.
Her partnership with Hughes has been key to the Eagles’ success this season and, once the latter returns to full fitness, will no doubt cause problems for WSL defences. Hughes finished as Championship top scorer with 16 goals, while Palace’s Felicity Gibbons and Blanchard took the one, two for assists with eight and seven, respectively.
Today, Blanchard often looked to be without that final pass. She surged into the box or made space in the midfield but would, time and time again, see her impetus fizzle out after passing out wide or retaining possession a little too long.
Sunderland proved as stoic in defence as ever, proving exactly why they have the second-best defensive record in the league. Despite innumerable corners awarded to the hosts throughout the game, the Black Cats proved equal to the challenge.
For Crystal Palace, it was enough to see them over the line, while for Sunderland, the full-time celebrations were a painful reminder of what could have been.
The northeastern outfit faltered once too many with recent losses to Charlton and London City Lionesses consigning them to chase the singular promotion spot to the WSL for another season.
Yet for Palace, the full-time whistle signalled the beginning of a new era in the club’s history. Eruption from the stands from a crowd who had remained vocal throughout the 90 minutes signalled a club with firm foundations and loyal support.
When writing their history, however, that era may well be said to have started back in September when Grace Williams arrived as Head of Women’s Football and Laura Kaminski took the helm as manager. Williams had overseen Bristol City’s promotion to the WSL last season and under her direction, Palace have truly seen a change in fortune.
They finished fifth last season, some 14 points behind Williams’ Robins, yet now they look ahead to a season in the WSL with some of women’s football’s most exciting prospects amid their ranks.
Today, Crystal Palace became Championship champions to give a record-breaking crowd a moment to relish and celebrate. In September, they will make history again competing in their first WSL season as a club.
