Crystal Palace Women return to Barclays Women’s Super League action on Sunday when Chelsea visit, with manager Jo Potter highlighting the growing importance of London derbies in the women’s game.
The fixture follows Palace’s midweek Subway Women’s League Cup defeat at Southampton. Potter felt her side showed progress in several areas after their previous match against West Ham, particularly in possession, build-up play and attacking creativity. However, she also stressed that Palace must be more clinical against Chelsea, given the limited opportunities likely to come their way.
Sunday’s contest is the second London derby in a week for Palace, with further meetings against London City Lionesses, Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton also approaching. Potter believes the concentration of strong teams in the capital is beneficial for supporters and reflects the continued development of the women’s game. She also noted that these local rivalries bring an extra level of intensity compared with other fixtures.
Palace are preparing for a Chelsea side capable of scoring from a variety of situations. Potter singled out the Blues’ long-range threat, mentioning Keira Walsh, Erin Cuthbert and Lauren James as players who can find the target from outside the penalty area. She described Chelsea as an aggressive and ruthless team that can change the way it attacks.
The match will also see Lexi Potter return to face her former club. The midfielder played for Palace between 2023 and 2025, making a major contribution to their promotion from the second tier and their subsequent WSL campaign. She has since made her England debut in October, while Jo Potter said Palace supporters continue to hold her in high regard.
Jo Potter also emphasised the need for Palace to keep developing throughout the season. With teams meeting regularly, she believes opponents will identify patterns if a side fails to evolve. Tickets for Sunday’s Chelsea clash are on sale now.
