Annabel Blanchard stars as the Eagles overcome the Blues

Crystal Palace Women cruised to an unexpected 3-0 win over Birmingham City Women at the VBS Community Stadium on Sunday. 

Despite sitting in eighth place in the Barclays Women's Super League 2 table, the Eagles ensured they had the bragging rights over their rivals.

After a slow start, the Eagles were fired up, with Molly-Mae Sharpe giving them the lead. Two goals in two minutes in the second half from Shanade Hopcroft and Annabel Blanchard sealed Birmingham City's fate, who looked lacklustre at times and struggled to create chances.

The Eagles move up to sixth in the table, whereas the Blues sit second. 

Pre-Match 

After a strong run of results in the WSL 2 and the Subway Women’s League Cup, Crystal Palace were aiming to finish in the top half of the table heading into the Christmas period, having won 2-1 against Ipswich Town last time out.

Both teams were level on wins, with Birmingham conceding more goals this season than Palace’s fourteen. Kirsty Howat scored the winner when the sides last met, and the defender is one of the most clinical players in Jo Potter's team this season. 

Sharpe has also been pivotal for the Eagles, anchoring the defence and providing stability at the back. However, Palace have struggled in games where clear goal opportunities are limited, often looking exposed when the opposition threatens in the final third. The team will need to tighten their defence if they are to maintain their good form.

The Blues sat second in the league after a mixed run of results, with two wins, one draw and two losses, after beating Portsmouth at home. 

First Half 

Palace were in control for much of the first half, with chances coming thick and fast. Birmingham City looked for attacking options but were denied by Palace. 

The Eagles also powered on the front foot, with a string of missed chances, with Ashleigh Weerden and Sharpe cutting it close, but could not seem to find the finish. Weerden, Howat and Sharpe were key to the Eagles' defence as the team kept Birmingham at bay, with Palace goalkeeper, Shae Yañez making several saves.  

Both teams continued to find a breakthrough, with Birmingham's only shot on target coming from defender Martha Harris from a corner cross by Chelsea Cornet.

Despite dominating the half with 61% of possession, Palace struggled to find options, with most of their attempts being blocked by the solid Blues’ defence. Teagan McGowan looked particularly strong, repeatedly denying Weerden with well-timed tackles. 

Midfielder Annabel Blanchard had an early low shot for Palace that went wide, while Weerden often found herself isolated with no options. Palace kept pushing but couldn’t get to the end of their own build-up. 

Yañez made another strong save before City tried again on the rebound, but nothing came of it. Moments later, Palace carved out a huge opportunity, but missed an open goal before the follow-up went out for a throw-in.

The opening stages were stagnant at times, with both teams wasting big chances, with the Blues missing an early sitter and Palace repeatedly failing to finish through Howat and Weerden.

Frustration grew on both sides as deflections, miscues, and poor decision-making killed attacking moves. 

There were some promising signs later on, with Palace twice hitting the woodwork and over the bar. It was a fiery few minutes, with the Eagles testing the City defence. 

Their efforts were rewarded when Sharpe curled the ball from the right side of the box in the 43rd minute, giving Palace the lead. 

It was non-stop for both teams as the tempo rose sharply, with Palace controlling the game. The Eagles nearly doubled their lead with a chance that curled just wide before halftime. 

City pushed for an equaliser, but Palace still went into the break on top.

Half time: Crystal Palace 1-0 Birmingham City. 

Second half 

Palace looked the stronger side in this half, building on the momentum from the first. 

The Eagles created several chances, though early attempts were either off target or well saved by Thomas.

City had a few opportunities of their own but struggled to break through Palace’s defence. 

Weerden and Blanchard linked well in midfield, though missed chances and an offside call disrupted Palace’s rhythm.

The Blues pushed on the counterattack, with a strong effort to equalise saved comfortably by Yañez. 

Both teams continued to seek a breakthrough, but shots were blocked or went off the crossbar. Yañez also made a smart save to deny Birmingham’s third shot on target, while a powerful effort from the visitors went over. 

Palace took full advantage soon after a free kick, where a low right-footed shot in the 70th minute by Blanchard made it 2-0 to the home team. 

Less than ten minutes later, Shanade Hopcroft scored Palace’s third with a long-range right-footed shot from the left, assisted by Howat following a corner. 

Palace continued to dominate, creating opportunities through Sharpe and late substitution, Lola Brown, while City pushed but could not convert, with close-range shots saved by Thomas. 

Palace maintained control in the closing minutes, holding on to secure the three points.

Full-time: Crystal Palace 3-0 Birmingham City. 

Post-match

Midfielder and goalscorer from a free kick, Annabel Blanchard spoke on her team’s performance after the match, focusing on maintaining momentum, converting chances, and looking ahead to one fixture at a time:

“I think we created a lot of chances today. It’s just about putting the ball in the back of the net and being clinical when we get these opportunities. We scored some goals today, and we’ve been working on set pieces, so that went really well.

We’ve also been focusing on keeping clean sheets and being hard to beat as a team. Everyone, from the goalkeeper to the backline, all the way up to the forwards, worked really hard. We challenged for first and second balls and did really well, and if we keep playing like this, it gives us a platform to build on.

Obviously, momentum is going to swing in games, so it’s just about staying composed when it does, and I think we dealt with that quite well today.”

What’s Next?

The Eagles take on Lewes FC Women away next Sunday in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup at the Dripping Pan (4pm BST ko), while Birmingham City face Sporting Khalsa at Knighthead Park on the same day (2pm BST ko). 

Palace will face Bristol City in their next WSL 2 fixture at the Ashton Gate Stadium, with Birmingham playing Durham Women at home at Knighthead Park. These matches will roundup the year in the league, with both clubs aiming to see out 2025 with another three points.