Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Birmingham return to the WSL for the first time since the 2021-22 season
BySam DruryBBC Sport journalist- Published40 minutes ago
Birmingham City and Crystal Palace have been promoted to the Women's Super League after a dramatic final day in the second tier saw Charlton slip into the play-off spot.
The Women's Super League will expand from 12 to 14 teams from the 2026-27 season.
The day began with Charlton top of the table, a point ahead of Birmingham in second and third-placed Palace.
But it was all change by the end of the afternoon as a Wilma Leidhammar double gave Birmingham victory over Charlton in the winner-takes-all clash at The Valley, while Palace came from behind to thrash already-relegated Portsmouth 6-1.
It means the Blues go up as WSL 2 champions, returning to the top flight after four years away, with Palace making an immediate return to the WSL after their relegation 12 months ago.
"How does it feel? Amazing! I am speechless," Birmingham manager Amy Merricks said.
"I just had a feeling, I know my team has bounced back every time. I'm so proud of them today.
"It's a tough place to come, I have to credit Charlton I think they've had a fantastic season. I'm so grateful for the team, this group is incredible and we're going to enjoy every moment of this.
"This is exactly what we deserved last year, we didn't get it and they came back stronger."
Meanwhile, having let a nine-point lead slip, Charlton have one more shot at promotion as they host Leicester at The Valley in the relegation-promotion play-off on 23 May.
How the afternoon unfolded
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Wilma Leidhammar scored a goal in each half as Birmingham won at Charlton
Despite being outside the automatic promotion places at kick-off, Palace were arguably in the best position, playing bottom of the league knowing that a win would secure a top-two finish.
However, they were given an early shock as Portsmouth's Megan Hornby scored direct from a corner in the third minute.
That seemed to jolt Palace into action and Molly-Mae Sharpe equalised from close range just eight minutes later.
Meanwhile, at The Valley, Charlton had begun to drop off after a bright start with Birmingham gradually gaining the upper hand.
Addicks' goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse was forced into action to keep out Oceane Hurtre's well-struck effort.
The pressure eventually told in the 27th-minute as Leidhammar headed home Hurtre's left-wing cross at the far post.
Birmingham remained in the ascendency with Leidhammar's free-kick tipped onto the bar by Whitehouse before Batcheba Louis put the rebound over the bar.
And with Palace unable to make the most of their chances in the other game, that was how it stayed until the break - Birmingham top and Palace ahead of Charlton on goal difference.
It didn't stay that way for long as Ashleigh Weerden rounded the goalkeeper to put Palace in front less than two minutes into the second half.
From there the floodgates opened for the Eagles with Weerden getting a second and Kirsty Howat making it four moments later.
Just as Palace's promotion party was beginning at the VBS Community Stadium, Birmingham might just have been starting to put the champagne on ice themselves.
Charlton failed to deal with a corner from the right and Liedhammar was there to pounce, one touch before finding the top corner with a shot on the turn.
Palace made it six against Portsmouth through Annabel Blanchard and Elise Hughes, and with Charlton never looking like scoring, the only question was whether Jo Potter's side could keep scoring to pip Birmingham to the title on goal difference - 11-1 would have done it.
As it was, they had to settle for six and, although a Charlton flurry finally came in the 13 minutes of added time, Birmingham held on comfortably enough with the final whistle sparking wild celebrations.
Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed
