Championship round-up: Birmingham lead, as London City mount pressure | OneFootball

With only six points separating the top seven teams in the Women’s Championship, every match carries weight as Birmingham City holds a narrow lead.

This past weekend saw a series of intense fixtures featuring hard-fought wins and dramatic comebacks. Read on for our detailed roundup of the Week 14 action and how the battle for promotion is shaping up.

Sunderland 0-1 Birmingham City

Birmingham bounced back from last weekend’s defeat at home to Bristol City by taking all three points from Sunderland. Lee Geum-min got the only goal of the game in the seventh minute at the Stadium of Light. The September signing capitalised on hesitation in the Sunderland backline and fired home a crucial goal for the Blues.

Eleanor Dale looked to continue her fine form but was denied by visiting keeper Lucy Thomas. Libby McInnes then had an effort saved by Oliwia Szperkowska, making her league debut for City. Birmingham held on for a big three points — keeping them top of the Championship. Sunderland sit five points behind them in sixth place.

Portsmouth 0-1 London City Lionesses

London City remain right in the hunt for the top spot after a narrow win at bottom club Portsmouth. Megan Campbell had an early chance to give the Lionesses the lead but headed over from a corner. Then, Annie Hutchings came agonisingly close to putting Pompey in front but couldn’t get a connection on a cross. Izzy Goodwin put London City in front as she smartly finished past Hannah Poulter.

Campbell again went close with another header, but then Portsmouth threw everything at them in search of an equaliser. In the last minute, Megan Hornby went through on goal but was met by Emily Orman in the visitor’s goal and London City took home all three points. They stay on Birmingham’s heels in the title race, just a point behind the Blues with a game in hand.

Southampton 2-2 Newcastle United

Two sides looking to challenge at the top shared the spoils at St. Mary’s. Molly Pike looked to have given her side three precious points as she netted an early brace. The first goal came as she finished off a lovely, flowing move involving Araya Dennis and Rachel Brown. Minutes later, it was 2-0 as Pike got on the end of a through ball from Meg Collett to double her side’s lead.

Georgia Mullett, making her Southampton debut after joining on loan, almost made it three but for a strong block from Deanna Cooper.

After the break, Newcastle worked their way back into the game and top scorer Shania Hayles blasted them back into the game. It looked as though the Saints would hold on, but they suffered the body blow of a 94th-minute equaliser. Amy Andrews got the last touch to level the score and make the long journey home much more bearable for the Magpies.

Sheffield United 1-1 Durham

Sheffield United picked up an excellent point in their battle to stay up as they grabbed a draw against high-flying Durham. It looked as if the away side would be continuing the form that’s kept them in the promotion race when Michaela Foster’s corner floated straight in. That gave them a halftime lead, but the Blades fought back.

Just after the hour mark, Leanne Cowan’s cross was powered home by the head of Jacqui Hand. That was Hand’s first goal for United, and her team grafted for what could be an important point. Durham will see it as points dropped in their bid for promotion, while United extend their lead over Portsmouth to four points at the bottom.

Fixture note: Charlton Athletic’s home game with Blackburn Rovers was postponed on Sunday due to a frozen pitch.

What’s next?

There’s FA Cup action this weekend for a number of Championship sides. London City Lionesses go to Arsenal on Sunday, while Portsmouth host Sunderland in an all-Championship tie.

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