The battle between Manchester City and Chelsea at the top of the Women’s Super League (WSL) may be the main storyline, but it’s not the only exciting title race at the moment. With just two full days remaining, there are four points remaining between the top four teams in the Women’s Championship.
Only the winner will be promoted to the WSL and all four are expected to face each other on the final day of the season on April 28.
Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Charlton Athletic all have very different histories in women’s football. They are testament to the diversity of teams vying to compete at the highest level of English women’s football, despite fears the WSL is becoming more and more like the Premier League.
Sunderland (20 matches, 40 points)
Sunderland are top, one point ahead of second-placed Crystal Palace, who have a game in hand. Top-flight women’s football has eluded the north-east of England over the past two years, despite Sunderland’s illustrious history of developing a glut of English stars, including Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead and Jill Scott.
They have struggled in the past to meet the FA’s licensing requirements to compete in the WSL and Championship. Their initial application was rejected before the creation of the WSL in 2011, and although they eventually reached the top division in 2015, in 2018 they were demoted to the third tier after being deemed not to be up to par. height.
The current side have struggled against WSL opposition, having been beaten by Aston Villa and Chelsea in the Continental Cup. Despite this, they showed plenty of heart throughout the season, with their 4-3 win over Lewes being one of the standout games of the campaign.
Midfielder Jenna Dear scored in the 95th and 97th minutes to overturn a 3-2 deficit in this match, and that kind of attitude helped them stay in contention for promotion.
Their match against second-placed Palace on the final day could well be decisive.
Remaining meetings: Charlton (H), April 21; Crystal Palace (M), April 28
Crystal Palace (19 matches, 39 points)
Goalless Crystal Palace have been one of the best teams to watch in the Championship this year, scoring three or more goals on nine occasions, including a dramatic 9-1 win over Durham in September.
Welsh striker Elise Hughes scored four goals on the day and she is tied with Sheffield United’s Izzy Goodwin as the Championship’s top scorer. The 22-year-old Everton academy product is an example of the talent Palace have brought in over the past two years.
The signing of Irish winger Izzy Atkinson from West Ham United in January was a coup for the Eagles, while Chelsea loanee Alexia Potter has looked mature beyond her 17 years in their midfield. ground.
Palace are the only one of these four teams to be linked with a Premier League club, but it hasn’t always been sunshine and roses. In 2018, Wilfried Zaha made a substantial donation to the women’s team to support them amid reports that reserve players were being asked to find £250 to continue playing. Palace chairman Steve Parish has been outspoken in the past about the direction women’s football should take, advocating for mechanisms such as salary caps.
Whether or not they are present this year, they should become big players in women’s football in the years to come.
Remaining meetings: Birmingham (H), April 14; Lewes (A), April 21; Sunderland (H), April 28
Southampton (20 matches, 36 points)
When Southampton’s men’s team were relegated from the Premier League last year, there were fears that its promising women’s program would follow the path of so many others in bearing the brunt of cuts across the club. Instead, the Saints have already secured three more points than they managed in total last season.
Southampton have built their team around a core of exciting young academy products, with 20-year-old Milly Mott, 21-year-old Ella Morris and 22-year-old Kayla Rendell all attracting attention. Goalkeeper Rendell had the compliment of being called up to the England senior squad during the recent international break – a very rare occurrence for a second-tier player.
Led by England and Arsenal legend Marieanne Spacey, and with regular matches hosted at St Mary’s, Southampton are currently one of the most exciting setups in the Championship.
Remaining meetings: London City Lionesses (M), April 21; Charlton (A), April 28
Charlton Athletic (19 matches, 36 points)
Led by former Tottenham manager Karen Hills, Charlton is attempting to return to the top flight of English women’s football for the first time since its women’s program was axed when the men’s team was relegated from the Premier League in 2007…the same day, the women played the FA Cup final.
With an FA Cup, two League Cups and two Community Shields to their name, Charlton was one of the leading figures in the women’s game, with talents including Casey Stoney, Eni Aluko and Fara Williams.
This current iteration of Charlton is solid defensively, with youngsters Mia Ross and Kiera Skeels forming the spine of the team. They added experience by signing Kate Longhurst, 34, from West Ham over the summer, but still tend to be a little timid, which has cost them dearly in recent weeks as they have not managed to capitalize on a 1-0 lead over London. Lionesses of the city.
While they seemed to be in one of the strongest positions a few weeks ago, their fate is now beyond their control.
Remaining meetings: Watford (A), April 14; Sunderland (A), April 21; Southampton (H), April 28
No matter who gets promoted, teams will find the real challenge begins when they attempt to compete at the WSL level. Teams that fail to significantly improve their squad tend to struggle in the top division, although it can also be much more sustainable to continue to develop younger players whilst bearing in mind that relegation is a real possibility.
Despite this, the diversity of teams vying for top spot should be celebrated by demonstrating that it is possible to be a lower league team with a competitive model in women’s football.
While it may not be the case forever, the Women’s Championship has shown at the moment that, rather than simply attaching itself to a men’s Premier League team, another path is possible.
(Top photo: Stephen Pond – The FA via Getty Images)