Crystal Palace stun Leicester to reach last eight as full quarter-final line-up confirmed.
The Subway Cup quarter-final field is now complete, with the draw scheduled for 6pm today on the Barclays WSL TikTok channel. Five group winners join the three Champions League entrants who were given byes to the knockout stage: Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Manchester City progressed from Group A unbeaten, while Liverpool topped Group B with three wins from three against second-tier opposition.
West Ham clinched Group C on goal difference after finishing level with Charlton, though their 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth at the weekend, while fielding a rotated side, underlined the inconsistency of a team sitting second from bottom in the WSL. Even so, a WSL club losing to a WSL 2 side remains a notable upset.
Group D produced the biggest shock. Crystal Palace, relegated at the end of last season, won the group ahead of Leicester City and London City Lionesses, with all three finishing on six points and goal difference deciding matters.
Palace’s 3-0 win away at Leicester was the pivotal result. London City Lionesses, who kicked off early, pushed hard in the closing stages once news filtered through that Palace were leading 1-0. They switched to a 2-3-5 shape in search of goals but their 2-0 victory left them two short.
After the match, I spoke to Teyah Goldie, the former Arsenal centre-back now with London City Lionesses, who was making her first start of the season following a long injury lay-off.
How do you feel after your first start this evening coming back from injury?
“I am buzzing. It was really nice to be out there with the girls and get a win altogether.”
So how is your fitness level now?
“Yeah, I’ve been training hard for the last few weeks. Training is a very good standard, so that helps you get fit to a point. But of course, nothing you know replicates the game. So today was big step in the right direction for me, and getting those match minutes in.”
The team is playing very well, having only lost to the top four. How do you see the season panning out?
“Yeah, I think we’re all delighted with the performances and the wins that we’ve got. I think we want to keep improving, though there’s still room for improvement in those performances. And now, you know, when we go back and play those top four teams, we want to really compete.”
In Group E, Tottenham finished top, unbeaten with two wins and a draw.
The quarter-final draw on 25 November will be open, with all eight teams unseeded.
Ties will be played on the weekend of 20 and 21 December.