London City Lionesses make history with Championship title win and WSL promotion | OneFootball

London City Lionesses wrote their names in history as they lifted the Barclays Women’s Championship trophy on Sunday. Their 2-2 draw against Birmingham City was enough to wrap up the title and secure promotion to the Women’s Super League, becoming the first fully independent side to do so.

This blockbuster showdown was shown live on Sky Sports and it did not disappoint. London City held on to gain promotion to the WSL for the first time in their history, while title rivals Birmingham City pushed them all the way.

An epic match up between the two title rivals started nervously. Both teams cancelled each other out and they headed in 0-0 at the break. It was the second half where it all came to life. London City Lionesses took the lead through Championship top scorer Izzy Goodwin who hit an incredible strike.

Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Emily van Egmond traded goals, before Cho So-hyun made it nerve-jangling late on with a sublime Birmingham equaliser. Despite late pressure, Birmingham could not find the essential winner and London City held on to secure the result, confirming their status in the history books.

A title clash between London City and Birmingham City

Image credit: Lucy Jones for Her Football Hub

The sun was out for a winner takes it all clash at St Andrews and the 6,000 fans packed into the stadium gave the match a real buzz.

The pressure of the occasion was palpable and made for man edgy first 20 minutes. Both teams had good play but couldn’t get a clear chance on goal. The quality in play showed why these two were battling it out at the top of the Championship — the passing was accurate and they matched each other in stamina with a quick press from both sides keeping the tempo fast.

Birmingham were joint highest scorers in the Championship, and the London City Lionesses pride themselves on having the best defence.

Both teams saw efforts cleared off the line as Van Egmond saw her header blocked in the 13th minute by Boye-Hlorkah. Then, shortly before the break at the other end, Boye-Hlorkah capitalised on an error by home goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, only for Rebecca Holloway to make a last-gasp hooked clearance. It was 0-0 at the break.

Image credit: Lucy Jones for Her Football Hub

London City Lionesses clinch historic WSL title

It was TV cameras, sunshine and goals galore as the attacking players got into the match and took their chances on the biggest match of their season.

England U23 star Izzy Goodwin stepped up to provide a moment of individual magic. She picked the ball up inside the attacking half, jinked around two Birmingham players and rifled a shot into the top corner. It was her 16th goal in 20 Championship games, and ramped up the atmosphere.

A few minutes later, Boye-Hlorkah headed in London City Lionesses’ second from a corner. However, the match was far from over.

Birmingham grew into the game, and Van Egmond bundled in from close range to pull one back for the Blues. The crowd were up and singing with belief creeping back.

Read more: Ireland icon Louise Quinn retires after influential career

On 86 minutes, Birmingham City midfielder Cho So-hyun skilfully hit a volley that really gave the fans something to cheer about, and put the game at a knife edge at 2-2. Birmingham had good play and most of the possession in the 10 minutes added on. However, they couldn’t find the much-needed winner and London City Lionesses held on.

Image credit: Lucy Jones for Her Football Hub

At the final whistle, the relief was visible. LCL celebrated in their pack with the trophy and their small group of travelling fans cheered on from the stands. Birmingham were wounded as their players fell to the grass. The WSL founding members must wait for their return to the top flight. They face a lot of squad changes as star player Louise Quinn retires from football and other players are certain to move on in a summer rebuild.

London City Lionesses had been favourites to capture the title after a busy transfer season that saw them hire former Paris Saint-Germain boss Jocelyn Precheur, and make several statement signings including former WSL winner Kosovare Asllani.

They have already been linked with big names ahead of the upcoming market. Now, with WSL status confirmed, they’ll be looking to push the established teams next season. London City Lionesses finish two points clear of Birmingham at the top of the Championship and will replace relegated Crystal Palace in the WSL for 2025/26 season.

Related articles from Her Football Hub: