Women’s football: Kaminski’s Palace go top of Championship table after win over Birmingham

Crystal Palace went top of the Women’s Championship on Sunday after a 1-0 win at home to Birmingham City.

The Eagles played their game in hand over former league leaders Sunderland and moved two points clear at the top thanks to Elise Hughes’ first-half strike.

Palace have two matches left to play. First they travel to Lewes on Sunday and then host Sunderland at Selhurst Park on April 28.

Promotion would see the South Londoners play in the Super League for the first time in their history.

Charlton put themselves in a good position to capitalise should Palace and Sunderland both fail to win either of their final two games after a 2-0 win over Watford.

The Addicks relegated the Hornets, with Melissa Johnson and Mel Filis both finding the back of the net.

Karen Hills’ side would need to win both of their remaining games and hope Palace and Sunderland both fail to pick up another three points this season to win the title.

AFC Wimbledon are all but assured of being National League Division One South East champions after a 2-0 win at London Seaward.

Sandra Soares-Martins and Emily Donovan both found the back of the net for Kevin Foster’s side as they moved nine points clear of second-placed Norwich.

Wimbledon need just a point on Sunday at Worthing to clinch the title.

FA Cup holders Chelsea were knocked out at the semi-final stage of this year’s competition after a 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on Sunday.

Lucia Garcia scored inside the opening 60 seconds at Leigh Sports Village to give United the lead when she met Leah Galton’s cross at the back post.

Rachel Williams turned home Ella Toone’s cross in the 23rd minute to put United 2-0 up.

Lauren James scored for the Blues before half-time but the result ended Chelsea’s hopes of winning a treble in Emma Hayes’ last campaign as manager before she becomes the new head coach of the United States women’s team in the summer.

“No one died – we lost a football match,” said Hayes. “The frustration lies with us in the way we conceded the goals. It was a game we dominated – but you cannot gift two goals so early against top-level opponents.

“As a team, we have to be better and we gave ourselves too much to do.

“We have to get on with it – we’ve got a lot of games to go.

“As always I’m reflective on what I need to do. Everyone is competitive, so of course they will be disappointed.”

Chelsea play their Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona tomorrow at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys stadium.

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD