Crystal Palace relegated following West Ham defeat | OneFootball

Crystal Palace have been relegated from the Barclays Women’s Super League after spending just one season in the top flight.

The Eagles needed a positive result against West Ham United at the VBS Community Stadium this afternoon to keep their slim survival hopes alive. Leif Smerud’s side went down 7-1 to The Hammers as their Barclays Women’s Championship return was confirmed.

West Ham United forward Shekiera Martinez grabbed the headlines once more. The German netted four goals in what was an excellent afternoon for the visitors.

It was Martinez who opened the scoring after 18 minutes before the same player netted the game’s second and third goals shortly before half-time.

Martinez added a fourth goal just after the hour mark before Viv Asseyi made it 5-0 with 20 minutes remaining.

Crystal Palace did get a consolation 10 minutes later. Forward Katie Stengel converted a penalty kick.

Emma Harries bagged a sixth West Ham United goal four minutes from time before netting again in second half stoppage time to cap-off an emphatic victory for her side.

This afternoon’s result means that Crystal Palace are now unable to catch any of the sides above them in the Barclays Women’s Super League table. The Eagles will therefore be playing their football in the Barclays Women’s Championship once again in 2025/2026.