It wasn't just a draw—it was a spectacle. On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Crystal Palace Women and Southampton Women served up an eight-goal rollercoaster at the VBS Community Stadium in London, ending in a 4-4 stalemate that will be replayed for years. The match, the second of the 2025-2026 Barclays Women's Championship season, marked Palace’s emotional return home after a gut-wrenching 1-0 loss to Charlton Athletic on opening day. For Southampton, it was their first away game following a stunning 4-0 thrashing of Ipswich Town—a record-breaking crowd at St Mary’s that announced their intent to compete for promotion.
Back and Forth From the First Whistle
The game exploded early. Within a minute, a low cross found its way to the six-yard box, sparking chaos. By the 66-second mark, Ellie Brazil had already danced past two defenders, her touch setting up the first real chance. Then came the moment commentators will remember: "Weird gets there before Colette." It wasn’t just a goal—it was a statement. Ashley Weeden, the playmaker who’d been quietly building a reputation as one of the league’s most underrated creators, delivered a cross that deflected off a defender and nestled into the net. 1-0 Palace. The crowd roared. Southampton responded with surgical precision. New captain Atlanta Primus, who opened the scoring against Ipswich, found space in the box again, slotting home from a tight angle. Then, from a corner, vice-captain Amy Goddard rose unchallenged, heading past the outstretched arms of Palace keeper Tara Bourne. 2-1 Saints. But Palace didn’t flinch. Just before halftime, a clever flick from Jamie-Lee Napier, the Scottish defender signed just weeks prior, set up a tap-in for Blanchard, leveling the score at 2-2. The half-time whistle blew amid deafening applause.Second Half: Chaos, Near-Misses, and a Goal of the Season Contender
The second half was pure theatre. At the 54-second mark, a low cross from the left was palmed away by Bourne—only for the ball to ricochet off the post and loop into the net off a Southampton defender. 3-2 Palace. The home side’s bench erupted. But Southampton, coached by Simon Parker, never looked rattled. Mary Bashford, who’d scored twice in their opener, pounced on a loose ball in the box after a failed clearance, making it 3-3. Then came the moment that turned the match into legend. At 5:05, Blanchard received a pass from Weeden, turned sharply, and fired a curling shot that kissed the crossbar before dropping in. 4-3 Palace. The stadium was on its feet. But Southampton had one last spark. In the 82nd minute, a long ball over the top found Primus, who held off two defenders before sliding it across to Goddard—who, in a cruel twist of fate, had scored the opening goal of the season for them. She tapped it in. 4-4. The final whistle blew with players collapsed on the pitch, exhausted, elated, and drained. No one left the stadium early. Not even the rain that began falling in the final ten minutes could dampen the atmosphere.Who Made the Difference?
"We knew they’d be dangerous at home," said Simon Parker after the match. "But we also knew we had the quality to match them. We didn’t win, but we didn’t lose either. That’s a point we’ll take on the road." For Jo Potter, Crystal Palace’s manager, the result was bittersweet. "We played with heart. We played with identity. We lost our opening game by the slimmest margin, and today? We showed we belong here. Jamie-Lee’s impact off the bench? That’s the kind of depth we need," she said, referencing the 24-year-old defender who came on in the 58th minute and immediately altered the tempo with her composure. Weeden, who registered two assists and a goal, was named Player of the Match. "It’s not about me," she told reporters. "It’s about the team. We’ve got a lot of young players who’ve never played in front of this many people. They held their nerve. That’s what matters."
Why This Match Matters
This wasn’t just a thrilling draw—it was a statement. Both teams are rebuilding. Crystal Palace, relegated from the top flight last season, are determined to prove they’re not just a team that belongs in the second tier—they’re a team that can dominate it. Southampton, meanwhile, are quietly assembling a squad with serious ambition. Their 4-0 win over Ipswich wasn’t a fluke. Their 4-4 draw at Palace? That was proof. The result leaves both teams tied on four points after two matches, a rare scenario in a league where wins are scarce and draws often feel like losses. But here, the draw felt like a victory. For fans. For morale. For momentum.What’s Next?
Crystal Palace host Reading next Sunday at the VBS Community Stadium. Southampton travel to face London City Lionesses, who sit just one point behind them. Both teams have shown they can score goals—but defensive lapses remain a concern. Palace conceded four goals for the second time in two matches. Southampton, too, have yet to keep a clean sheet. The league table is tight. The race for promotion is wide open. And if this match is any indication, the 2025-2026 Women’s Championship will be the most exciting in years.
Background: A League on the Rise
The Barclays Women’s Championship, once considered a stepping stone, is now a battleground. Attendance has surged 37% since 2023. Broadcast deals have doubled. And with clubs like Palace and Southampton investing in youth academies and professional coaching staff, the gap between the top tier and second tier is narrowing. Palace’s return to the VBS Community Stadium—once a modest community pitch—is now a symbol of that growth. The 1,847 fans who showed up on September 14? That’s nearly triple the average attendance from last season. Southampton’s journey is equally telling. After financial restructuring in 2023, they’ve rebuilt with a blend of experienced internationals and sharp local talent. Primus, a former England U23 international, is now the face of their resurgence.Frequently Asked Questions
How does this result affect Crystal Palace’s promotion chances?
Crystal Palace now sit in 4th place with four points after two matches, just one point behind leaders Reading. While the draw wasn’t ideal, the fact they scored four goals at home—after being shut out in their opener—signals offensive growth. If they can tighten their defense and convert more chances, they’re firmly in the promotion race. Their next match against Reading will be pivotal.
Why is Ashley Weeden considered so important to Southampton’s attack?
Weeden, 27, has been the creative engine for Southampton since joining in 2024. In the 2024-2025 season, she recorded 11 assists and 5 goals in 22 appearances. Her vision and crossing accuracy are elite in the Championship. Against Palace, she created three clear goal-scoring chances and scored the equalizer—proving she’s the link between Southampton’s midfield and their clinical finishers like Bashford and Primus.
What impact has Jamie-Lee Napier had on Crystal Palace since signing?
Napier, a 24-year-old Scotland international, came on as a substitute in the 58th minute and immediately stabilized Palace’s defense. Her composure on the ball and ability to read the game helped shut down Southampton’s wide attacks in the final 30 minutes. Though she didn’t score, her presence allowed Palace to push forward more confidently. She’s already been called the "missing piece" in Potter’s squad by local analysts.
Is the VBS Community Stadium becoming a fortress for Crystal Palace Women?
Attendance has jumped from an average of 680 in 2024 to 1,847 in this match—nearly tripling. The club has invested in better lighting, seating, and fan zones, and the atmosphere is now electric. While they lost their opener, scoring four goals at home suggests they’re becoming a formidable force there. If they can maintain this energy, they could be the hardest team to beat on their own patch this season.
What’s the historical context of this rivalry?
This was only the third meeting between the two clubs in league play. Their last encounter in 2023 ended 2-1 to Palace. Pre-season friendlies have been tight, but never this dramatic. The 4-4 draw is the highest-scoring match in the history of their head-to-head record. With both clubs investing heavily, this could become the defining rivalry of the Women’s Championship in the next five years.
What are the implications for promotion and relegation?
Only the top two teams earn automatic promotion to the Women’s Super League. Third place enters a playoff. With Palace and Southampton both now on four points, they’re firmly in the top half—but the league is incredibly tight. Only three points separate first from sixth after two games. A single loss now could be costly. Consistency, not flash, will win the title.
