2425 Palace Women v Tottenham matchday programme

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Crystal Palace √ tottenham hotspur

sun 26 jan 2025 | 2:00pm kick-off

it’s matchday

A warm welcome to Crystal Palace’s first home league fixture of 2025, as we face Women’s Super League team Tottenham Hotspur in Sutton!

The Eagles this afternoon host the Lilywhites at the VBS Community Stadium, with kick-off set for 14:00 GMT.

Laura Kaminski’s side enjoyed a fantastic first game here in 2025 last time out, putting six goals past Sheffield United to advance to the Adobe Women’s FA Cup fifth round.

Today, they host a Tottenham Hotspur team in excellent form, having won four of their last six matches in all competitions –including on this ground last month in the Women’s League Cup.

Palace will therefore need every voice backing them, so make sure you get down to Sutton to support the team and – for those arriving early – to experience our Fanzone, situated just beyond the Collingwood Road Stand at the far side of the stadium.

Opening an hour before kick-off, the Fanzone will feature face painters, Pete and Alice the Eagle, and lots more fun, games, activities, refreshments and music – the perfect way for the whole family to warm-up ahead of kick-off!

Then, as the action draws near, get behind the team – and be loud, be proud… be Palace!

Happy 9th birthday for tomorrow, Grace!

laura kaminski

Good afternoon Palace fans – and it’s a pleasure to welcome you back to Sutton this afternoon for our first home Women’s Super League match of 2025.

Your passion and support are a huge driving force for the team, as we tackle another important fixture.

Looking back over recent games, we’ve had mixed fortunes. Our FA Cup win over Sheffield United was a fantastic team performance. The 6-1 result reflected our creativity, clinical finishing, and determination to take control of the game. We showed the kind of attacking football we’re capable of, and it was encouraging to see so many players step up and contribute. It was a great way to build momentum as we kicked off the new year.

However, last week’s defeat to Arsenal reminded us of the demanding standards in this league. We knew it would be a difficult game, but it served as a valuable learning experience. Arsenal’s quality and composure set a high benchmark, and while we were disappointed with the outcome, it’s these kinds of challenges that push us to improve. Moments like that reinforce how important it is to stay sharp, organised, and switched on from start to finish.

Our focus now is on responding positively, learning from those experiences, and delivering consistent performances. The ambition remains clear: to establish ourselves as a strong, competitive side in this league. Every point is critical, and we’ll be working hard to make every game count. The growth and development that we have seen in our style, resilience, and team chemistry is just the beginning.

We also know how important it is to make the VBS Community Stadium a fortress. Your support − every chant and every cheer − makes a huge difference. It lifts the players and creates the kind of atmosphere that fuels strong performances. Together, we can make this a ground where the opposition know they will be in for a tough day at the office.

Thank you for being here today. Enjoy the match and get behind the team!

Laura

We showed the kind of attacking football we’re capable of, and it was encouraging to see so many players step up and contribute. It was a great way to build momentum as we kicked off the new year

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aimee everett

Hello Palace fans, and welcome back to Sutton! It’s great to have your incredible support behind us as we kick off another exciting fixture in the WSL.

Reflecting on our recent matches, it’s been a week of contrasting emotions. Last weekend’s 5-0 defeat to Arsenal was a tough one to take. We knew the challenge they’d bring — they are a top-quality side with experience and depth. However, we left the pitch determined to learn from the experience and build on what we could take from that performance.

There were moments where we showed resilience, but against teams of that calibre, you have to be switched on for every second. It was a reminder of the fine margins at this level and the standard we need to reach to compete with the best.

Just a few days before, we showed exactly what this team is capable of in our 6-1 victory over Sheffield United in the FA Cup. That was a game where everything clicked for us. Our attacking play was sharp, we created chances – and, importantly, we took them. Scoring six goals gave us a real confidence boost, and it was fantastic to see so many players contributing and across the pitch. It’s a testament to the spirit and depth within our squad.

As we move forward, our ambition remains clear: to secure our place in this league and continue growing as a team.

Staying in the league isn’t just about individual performances; it’s about consistency, teamwork, and a relentless drive to improve with every match. Every point we fight for could make the difference, and we’re committed to putting in the hard work on and off the pitch. That’s the mindset we’re bringing into this year: starting strong, maintaining momentum, and giving everything we have in every single game.

We know how important it is to make the VBS a tough place to come, and having your support makes a world of difference. Every moment of encouragement from the stands fuels us on the pitch. Together, we can make this season one to remember.

Thank you for being here today –your loyalty means so much to us. Let’s push forward together and keep fighting for every point.

Enjoy the match, and let’s make some noise!

Aimee

We know how important it is to make the VBS a tough place to come, and having your support makes a world of difference. Every moment of encouragement from the stands fuels us on the pitch. Together, we can make this season one to remember

last time out

Crystal Palace lost 5-0 to Arsenal at Meadow Park in our first Barclays Women’s Super League game of 2025.

Despite another spirited performance away from home, the Eagles were eventually soundly beaten by title-chasing Arsenal in North London.

Five minutes in and Katie McCabe’s corner was met by Arsenal captain Leah Williamson, who put the hosts into an early lead.

Palace matched Arsenal for much of the first half, with My Cato having a great chance to level things on 33 minutes. Mille Gejl picked out Cato, who had made a great run behind the Arsenal defence, but the Sweden international couldn’t get her shot on target.

The hosts stepped things up in the second-half, with Alessia Russo and Beth Mead scoring a quickfire double 15 minutes into proceedings.

Russo grabbed Arsenal’s second on 63 minutes after she reacted first to a rebound from a fine Shae Yañez, save before fellow Lioness Mead made it 3-0 four minutes later, sliding the ball past Yañez into the bottom-right corner.

Arsenal were then awarded a penalty on 74 minutes after Annabel Blanchard was adjudged to have fouled Caitlin Foord in the box. FIFA Women’s 2023 World Cup winner Mariona Caldentey converted from the spot.

Arsenal grabbed their fifth in injury time, with Caldentey getting her second goal after the ball ricocheted off of the crossbar and into her path.

This result leaves Palace 12th in the WSL standings, but still only a point behind Leicester City and the edge of the relegation zone.

It was a tough test today. I thought we held our own in the first-half. Conceding from a set-piece was disappointing because we’ve been strong in those situations laura kaminski

Laura Kaminski

“It was a tough test today. I thought we held our own in the first-half. Conceding from a set-piece was disappointing because we’ve been strong in those situations.

“The players were frustrated, but at half-time, the message was clear: we were still very much in the game.

“It was 1-0, and we came out ready to push on. The second goal was a turning point. It’s hard to maintain high lines and compact distances against a team with Arsenal’s possession stats.

“Our players worked tirelessly, but when you’re defending constant waves of attack, focus can slip, and they punish any lapse.

“The players who came on fitted in well. Everyone gave everything, but world-class sides like Arsenal expose any weaknesses.

“We’ll learn from this and aim to stay stronger for 90 minutes.”

Aimee

tottenham hotspur

lillywhites 1983

VILAHAMN’S SWEDISH SPURS

Spurs Robert Vilahamn was appointed as Tottenham’s head coach in the summer of 2023, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous roles in Sweden, where he was known for his dynamic tactical approach and emphasis on attacking football. Shortly after, he was joined by Swedish duo Matilda Vinberg and Amanda Nildén who have featured prominently ever since.

FA CUP FINALISTS

Tottenham made history in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, by reaching the semi-final – and final – of the competition for the first time last season. After knocking out Manchester City, Leicester City, Sheffield United and Charlton Athletic, Spurs eventually lost 4-0 to Manchester United at Wembley.

LILYWHITE LIONESSES

Spurs had two breakout stars in the 2023/24 season who would go on to feature in the England team. Manchester United loanee Grace Clinton was subsequently named PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year after an impressive spell in North London, while Jessica Naz, whose performances caught the eye of Sarina Wiegman, was handed her debut on the 12th July 2024 against the Republic of Ireland.

BROXBOURNE LADIES

Tottenham Hotspur Women were founded in 1985 as Broxbourne Ladies before then affiliating with Spurs in 1991. Originally competing in the lower tiers, their promotion to the Barclays Women’s Super League in 2019 marked a major milestone for the club.

Hayley Raso has been a dynamic presence for Tottenham Hotspur since joining in the summer of 2024. Known for her explosive pace and tenacity, the Australia international scored on her debut against Crystal Palace in the first WSL game of the season. Counting Real Madrid, Manchester City and the Portland Thorns amongst her former clubs, it’s clear that Raso will be a constant threat for Spurs on the wing.

“We didn’t make too many mistakes, but we were not brave enough to play forward. We’re still trying to get this group going.”

R. Vilahamn

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Crystal palace f.c. tottenham hotspur f.c.

Katrine VEJE

Fliss GIBBONS

Chloe ARTHUR My CATO

Aimee EVERETT

Molly SHARPE

Elise HUGHES

Annabel BLANCHARD

Ashleigh WEERDEN

Josie GREEN

Hayley NOLAN

Lexi POTTER

Milla-Maj MAJASAARI (GK)

Indiah-Paige RILEY

Clarissa LARISEY

Mille GEJL

Lily WOODHAM

Shanade HOPCROFT

Abbie LARKIN

Katie STENGEL

Shae YAÑEZ (GK)

Annis-Clara WRIGHT (GK) Izzy ATKINSON

For Ticketing, reaction and highlights download the Official Palace App

L.

J. Sears L. Catchpole

S. Hughes

Lize KOP (GK)

Charlotte GRANT

Ella MORRIS

Amy JAMES-TURNER

Molly BARTRIP

Amanda NILDÉN

Jessica NAZ

Hayley RASO

Bethany ENGLAND

Maite OROZ

Olivia HOLDT

Matilda VINBERG

Anna CSIKI

Clare HUNT

Kit GRAHAM

Martha THOMAS

Olga AHTINEN

Luana BÜHLER

Rebecca SPENCER (GK)

Rosella AYANE

Drew SPENCE

Eveliina SUMMANEN

Eleanor HEEPS (GK)

Ashleigh NEVILLE

Lenna GUNNING-WILLIAMS

Wang SHUANG

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