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Monday, December 22, 2025

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Barclays WSL2

Crystal Palace claimed a vital 3-2 victory over Bristol City at Ashton Gate on the final matchday of 2025, condemning

the hosts to defeat despite a spirited fightback.

Goals from Elise Hughes, Kirsty Howat and Abbie Larkin secured all three points for the Eagles, while Rio Hardy's penalty and

Emily Syme's volley twice brought the Robins level before Palace struck the decisive blow late on.

The hosts began brightly, creating two early opportunities inside the opening five minutes. Maria Farrugia dragged a shot narrowly wide after being released by Hardy, before Mari Ward's inviting cross evaded everyone in red. Palace gradually settled and threatened when Ashleigh Weerden burst through, only to fire wide of Fran Bentley's goal.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute as Weerden delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post, where Hughes rose unchallenged to head beyond Bentley. Dafeur tested Shae Yanez from range as City sought a response, but the Palace goalkeeper gathered comfortably.

Drama arrived just before half time when Sille Struck's header was brilliantly saved by Yanez, only for the clearance to strike Howat's hand. The referee awarded a penalty, which Hardy confidently dispatched into the bottom corner for her sixth goal of the campaign, sending the sides in level at the break.

Palace regained the lead five minutes into the second half courtesy of a wicked deflection off Howat's shot that looped over the stranded Bentley. Their advantage lasted less than 90 seconds, however, as Ward's floated delivery was met with a superb volley from Syme to restore parity once more.

Bentley produced a stunning save to deny Larkin, tipping the forward's effort onto the post and keeping her side on level terms but Palace snatched the winner when Larkin latched onto a long ball and coolly slotted into the bottom corner. Yanez then preserved the lead with an outstanding stop, tipping Lexi Lloyd-Smith's ferocious long range effort onto the bar as the Robins pressed desperately for another equaliser.

The result sees Palace end the year on a high, while Bristol City reflect on what might have been after a valiant display.

Leading goalscorers:

6 - Rio Hardy (Bristol City);

6 - Beth Hepple (Durham Women);

6 - Emily Scarr (Sunderland);

5 - Lily Crosthwaite (Birmingham City);

5 - Meg Hornby (Portsmouth);

5 - Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace);

5 - Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Bristol City);

5 - Veatriki Sarri I(Birmingham City);

4 - Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah (Nottingham Forest);

4 - Rianna Dean (Ipswich Town);

4 - Jessie Gale (Portsmouth);

4 - Jodie Hutton (Charlton Athletic);

4 - Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace);

4 - Batcheba Louis (Birmingham City);

4 - Emily Murphy (Newcastle United);

4 - Emily Syme (Bristol City);