Crystal Palace Women took a significant step towards promotion with a 2-1 win over Sunderland in their final away game of the 2025/26 season. Annabel Blanchard and Ashleigh Weerden scored crucial goals for the Eagles. The match was played at the Stadium of Light, with Palace going into the break two goals to the good. Kirsty Howat should have grabbed an early opener for the Eagles on the sixth minute after a well-worked free-kick routine found her in space, but the Scotland international fired just wide. Just 14 minutes later and Palace had their lead, with Annabel Blanchard scoring on her 100th appearance for the club. Abbie Larkin's chipped through-ball bounced fortuitously off the back of a Sunderland centre-back, with Blanchard bringing the ball down and firing beyond Demi Lambourne in the Sunderland net. Palace's latest centurion wheeled away in celebration as the team in gold went 1-0 up in the Stadium of Light. The hosts almost pulled level after a succession of dangerous corners, but Palace's defence held firm. The Eagles doubled their lead in the 31st minute, with Larkin picking out Weerden at the back post and Palace having their second. Palace worked the same move again, but Weerden headed over the bar from close-range. The hosts pulled one back in the 48th minute, with Watson scoring for Sunderland. The Eagles held on for a crucial 2-1 win, with Brown going close to sealing it for Palace, but her effort was wide. The win confirmed Palace's place in the promotion playoff as a minimum, with Birmingham City's home defeat to Ipswich Town meaning that Jo Potter's side are still in with a chance at automatic promotion on the final day.