Crystal Palace √ manchester city
sun 3 nov 2024 | 2:00pm kick-off
back at selhurst
Welcome back to Selhurst Park for this afternoon’s Women’s Super League clash between Crystal Palace and Manchester City!
It’s another huge top-flight match for the Eagles amidst their inaugural season in the highest division, with former Palace forward Gareth Taylor managing a City side who sit top of the WSL table at the time of writing.
Laura Kaminski’s Palace side head into the match in good form themselves, however, having produced an excellent performance away to Liverpool before the international break: a 1-1 draw in which they enjoyed the bulk of the chances, and might consider themselves unfortunate to have only come away with a point. Find out more on page 8.
Today’s match kicks off at 14:00 GMT, with our Fanzone and Information Centre opening at 12:00 and turnstiles opening at 12:30.
To celebrate the occasion, supporters can expect more familyfriendly fun and games for all ages, as well as the opportunity to witness further club history on the pitch.
Our Fanzone is the perfect place for supporters young and old to enjoy fun, games, refreshments and entertainment ahead of kick-off.
That includes an exciting photobooth; facepainters; a club shop, where you can gear up and show your Palace colours with pride; and the chance to show off your skills with football games, as well as much, much more!
What’s more, our Selhurst Park club shop will also be open until after full-time (closing at 17:00) – allowing fans to get the complete WSL look, with 2024/25 Women’s shirts available.
As always, there’ll be plenty of activity around the stadium as kick-off draws near, as well as during the half-time break – so be loud, be proud – be Palace!
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Scan here to view a full matchday supporters’ guide.
laura kaminski
Good afternoon everybody, and welcome back to Selhurst Park for another huge match here today against Manchester City.
We go into today’s match – following the international break –off the back of a strong performance at Liverpool last time out.
The players, once again, applied themselves brilliantly, and executed our gameplan against a team who – let’s not forget – finished fourth in the WSL last season. It was a great team performance all-round, and it once again showed how much we have already grown as a unit this season – but we won’t be getting carried away. We know we still have a long way to go and a lot of work to do this season.
The international break has been a good opportunity for us to reflect on the season so far. The players who remained behind have had some time to recuperate, allowing everyone to come back with clear minds, ready to work into the next block of games.
We know that our performances are looking steady – I’ve been proud of them so far – but we are after points, not just playing well. We think, if we keep playing like we have, the rest will speak for itself in terms of goals, points and our final league position. We’re really starting
to find our own identity as a team, and I think it’s important to push forward with that now.
This is a transition year for us in the WSL. The pace of the game, and the technical ability of the players, combined makes it a great league to be in, but also a challenge every single week. Every single match is big for us in its individual right.
Today is a prime example of that. City are a side who have been competing at the top of the Women’s game for a long time now, with a powerful bench they can bring on to change games. That has been something we ourselves have looked at this season - how we can combat that, and improve our performances in the latter stages against top teams - and I think it is a challenge our squad will rise to.
We have now had a couple of months discovering the tricks of the trade in this league, and getting used to the pace of things. Although I expect today’s game to be challenging for the group, we will have to fight our battles with conviction, but also have and implement our own gameplan.
It’s great to be back here at Selhurst Park this afternoon. I was
It’s great to be back here at Selhurst Park this afternoon. I was really impressed with the atmosphere you created here against Chelsea at the start of the season
really impressed with the atmosphere you created here against Chelsea at the start of the season.
I know it meant a great deal to our players, and I know that we can count on your support again this afternoon. We hope we can deliver a performance you can be proud of, and that you have a great time at today’s match.
Enjoy the game, Laura
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aimee everett
Good afternoon, Eagles, and welcome back to Selhurst Park – I hope you’re all feeling the buzz as we gear up for today’s big clash against Manchester City.
The recent international break has been an important time for us as a squad. For those of us here in South London, it’s given us a valuable chance to focus on specific areas of training, build fitness, and look ahead to our games in the WSL. Everyone’s put in an extra shift, making sure that we’re ready to hit the ground running today.
Meanwhile, we’re incredibly proud of our teammates who represented their countries over the break. Playing on the international stage brings its own set of challenges, and the experience they’ve gained will only strengthen us as a squad. Whether here at home or playing abroad, this break has allowed every one of us to continue progressing, and we’re now ready to put everything we’ve worked on into action.
We come into today off the back of an impressive performance against Liverpool, where we showed resilience and determination to secure a wellearned draw. Everyone put in a shift, and it was fantastic to see the hard work from training pay off on the pitch. That result was a real testament to our character and the progress we’re making as a team. Holding our own against Liverpool showed just how much potential this
squad has, and it’s made us even more eager to bring that same intensity to today’s game.
Today’s match is a massive occasion, not only because we’re playing in front of you all at Selhurst Park, but also because we’re up against a team as strong as Manchester City. We know they’ll bring their best, but that’s what makes this game so exciting. Facing world-class players at Selhurst is what the Women’s Super League is all about. It’s a chance for us to prove ourselves, showcase our talent, and demonstrate what we can achieve as a team and a club.
Our focus today is on staying sharp, playing with heart, and working together as one. We’ve shown resilience before, and with your support behind us, we’re ready to dig deep, create opportunities, and give City a real challenge.
Thank you for your incredible support – it means everything to us to have you cheering us on. Let’s make today special, keep the energy high, and show City what it means to play at Selhurst!
See you out there,
Aimee
Everyone put in a shift, and it was fantastic to see the hard work from training pay off on the pitch. That result was a real testament to our character and the progress we’re making as a team
last time out
Crystal Palace Women made it back-to-back matches unbeaten on the road last time out, battling to a hard-fought point away at Liverpool.
Laura Kaminski made two changes from the side which lost out against Brighton & Hove Albion the previous week: Brooke Aspin made her first Women’s Super League start for the club, with fellow loanee Lily Woodham also coming into the side.
Perhaps with extra spur after missing out by such narrow margins against the Seagulls, Palace –pitted against a Liverpool side who had finished fourth in the WSL the season prior – started much the brighter of the two teams.
Indeed, they took the lead just 14 minutes in, a series of ricochets seeing the ball bounce kindly for Katie Stengel to turn it in – her first goal for the South Londoners, and against the American’s former club to boot.
Annabel Blanchard –impressive throughout – came close to making it 2-0 on 36 minutes, after she was found by a brilliant Mille Gejl through-ball, but Liverpool ‘keeper Rachael Laws was able to smother the effort.
Further ‘nearly’ moments came and went, but despite that impressive first-half, Liverpool
liverpool √ palace Sunday 20th October 1-1
equalised just before half-time when an attempted clearance rebounded into the path of Cornelia Kapocs, who finished from close range.
Palace were not discouraged and seconds later, Stengel had a great chance to restore their lead just before the break, as the ball fell kindly to her in the box – but she could not keep her shot down.
Liverpool came out with a stronger performance in the second-half, with Olivia Smith hitting the post with a powerful effort on 49 minutes.
But Palace had their chances too: Indiah Paige-Riley came close to restoring their lead before Stengel, always a threat, saw her spin-and-strike deflect behind for a corner.
Nevertheless, Palace could take great pride in their overall performance, defending resolutely to earn a hugely
I think we’ve proven that we can compete here. Instead of being the newlypromoted team, we’re another WSL team. We show up each weekend and perform, and we can come away with results
impressive point on Merseyside.
Speaking to Palace TV after the game, Stengel smiled: “I think we knew they’d be a really tough opponent, and they proved that today.
“I think we came out with the right mentality. We had chances, they had chances, and I thought it was a good back-and-forth game.
“I think we’ve proven that we can compete here. Instead of being the newly-promoted team, we’re another WSL team. We show up each weekend and perform, and we can come away with results.”
Stengel enjoyed scoring her first goal in Palace colours, stating: “That felt great. It’s been a long time coming, actually scoring in this league, so I’m glad I could get that one out of the way.
“I did tell Lazi (Laws) I would do it to her, so I’m sorry – it had to be done!”
international round-up
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
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Abbie Larkin and Izzy Atkinson both featured for the Republic of Ireland as the Girls in Green breezed past Georgia to progress to the next stage of UEFA Euro 2025 qualification.
Larkin started in the first fixture in Tbilisi as Ireland put six past the hosts. The forward laid on an assist for Ireland’s second goal and received the Player of the Match award for her
overall performance, with Atkinson featuring late on in injury time.
In the return fixture in Dublin, Ireland once again ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, with Larkin starting at wing-back for the Girls in Green. She was replaced by Atkinson in the 58th minute, as Ireland booked their place in the next round in style.
The 9-0 win on aggregate means Ireland will take on some familiar faces in the November international break…
wales
Josie Green and Lily Woodham both featured for Wales as they also progressed in their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign – with the goal of reaching a first-ever major tournament still in sight.
Both Green and Woodham started, and played the entire game, for Wales in their 2-1 away defeat to Slovakia in the first leg of the play-offs.
Despite the defeat, however, Wales managed to turn the tie around in Cardiff, winning out 2-0 –and 3-2 on aggregate after extra-time – to book their place in the play-off final in dramatic fashion.
Woodham played the initial 90 minutes of the encounter, until she was replaced by Green at the beginning of extra-time, who helped secure Wales’ victory.
The duo will now face the Republic of Ireland over two legs in late November, with the winners receiving a berth at next summer’s Euro 2025 finals in Switzerland.
Denmark
Denmark had already qualified for Euro 2025 ahead of the international break, and therefore took on South Africa and the Netherlands in a pair of friendly matches.
Both Katrine Veje and Mille Gejl started in the win over South Africa in Aalborg. The game was 0-0 at half time, but five goals in the second-half saw the hosts run out 5-0 victors, with Gejl providing the assist for the fifth and final goal.
Denmark then faced the Netherlands in Esjberg, with Veje starting and playing 63 minutes, and Gejl coming on as a substitute in the 85th minute, in an eventual 2-1 defeat.
finland
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Milla-Maj Majasaari was in the Finland squad as her nation secured a pair of Euro 2025 qualification victories over Montenegro. The Boreal Owls will face Scotland in the final play-off round, with a place at next summer’s finals at stake.
youth
Brooke Aspin featured in both of England’s Under-23 friendly games against the Netherlands and Portugal; the former as a late substitute in a 1-1 draw, and the
latter playing the full 90 minutes of a 1-0 victory.
Also playing at U23s level was My Cato for Sweden. The midfielder was made captain as Sweden drew 1-1 in Falkenberg, setting up her side’s only goal of the game and also rattling the crossbar as her side sought a winner.
Lexi Potter , meanwhile, played two matches for England’s Under-19s in the Algarve Cup in Portugal, starting and scoring in a 3-1 win over the Netherlands before captaining the Young Lionesses to a 2-0 win over Norway.
crystal palace
Get to know the Crystal Palace squad as we continue our inaugural Women’s Super
squaddepth
st
Katie STENGEL
Poppy PRITCHARD
Elise HUGHES
lw
Ashleigh WEERDEN
Izzy ATKINSON
Molly SHARPE
rw
Indiah-Paige RILEY
Abbie LARKIN
am
Mille GEJL
Annabel BLANCHARD
cm
My CATO
Shanade HOPCROFT
lb
Lily WOODHAM
Fliss GIBBONS
CB
Brooke ASPIN
Hayley NOLAN
Dm
Chloe ARTHUR
Lexi POTTER
Rb
Josie GREEN Jorja FOX
CB
Katrine VEJE
Aimee EVERETT
GK
Shae YAÑEZ
Milla-Maj MAJASAARI
Annis-Clara WRIGHT
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manchester city
The Citizens 1988
DOMESTIC DOMINATION
Like their men’s team, Manchester City Women have gone from strength to strength in recent times. In the last 10 years, City have won three FA Cups and four League Cups, the latest of which came in the 2021/22 season. Their only WSL title arrived in 2016, but they came close last season, with Chelsea pipping them to the post solely on goal difference on the final day. City are considered to be part of the WSL ‘Big Three’, alongside Arsenal and Chelsea.
A FAMILIAR FACE
Former Palace forward Gareth Taylor has been the head coach of City since 2020, and is eyeing a first WSL title win under his stewardship. Taylor had a 20-year career as a player, making appearances for teams like Palace, Forest and City, as well as winning 15 caps for Wales. His City side have enjoyed an unbeaten start
to the 2024/25 season, having only dropped points in one game in all competitions so far.
NEW ARRIVALS
City made a statement of intent in the summer when they signed the WSL’s all-time leading goalscorer, Vivianne Miedema, on a free transfer from rivals Arsenal. They also signed Japanese trio Risa Shimizu, Ayaka Yamashita and Aoba Fujino, as well as Eve Annets from Reading; exciting prospect Naomi Layzell from Bristol City; and Katie Startup from Brighton. January signing Poppy Pritchard is currently on loan in South London with Palace.
HISTORY AT SELHURST
Today’s fixture will be the first-ever competitive meeting between Crystal Palace Women and Manchester City Women, marking a historic occasion for the Eagles as they test themselves against one of the best sides in the WSL.
Crystal palace f.c.
Katrine VEJE
Fliss GIBBONS
Chloe ARTHUR
My CATO
Aimee EVERETT
Molly SHARPE
Elise HUGHES
Annabel BLANCHARD
Ashleigh WEERDEN
Poppy PRITCHARD
Josie GREEN
Hayley NOLAN
Lexi POTTER
Milla-Maj MAJASAARI (GK)
Indiah-Paige RILEY
Mille GEJL
Lily WOODHAM
Shanade HOPCROFT
Abbie LARKIN
Katie STENGEL
Jorja FOX
Shae YAÑEZ (GK)
Brooke ASPIN
For Ticketing, reaction and highlights download the Official Palace App
Risa SHIMIZU
Naomi LAYZELL
Laia ALEIXANDRI
Alex GREENWOOD
Vivianne MIEDEMA
Laura COOMBS
Mary FOWLER
Chloe KELLY
Jill ROORD
Lauren HEMP
Alanna KENNEDY
Leila OUAHABI
Jess PARK
Kerstin CASPARIJ
Laura BROWN
Aoba FUJINO
Khadija SHAW
Sandy MACIVER (GK)
Yui HASEGAWA
Tara O’HANLON
Gracie PRIOR
Ayaka YAMASHITA (GK)
Khiara KEATING (GK)
Katie STARTUP (GK)
Codie THOMAS
Lily MURPHY
L. Benn
L. Gray D. Jakab
H. Blair