How often have we shared a gloomy pint with friends at half-time after a torrid first 45 minutes only to see the game turned on its head soon after? Does anything send supporters home so happy?

The comeback is something Crystal Palace have made a name for in their ten years back in the Premier League.

But when it comes to comebacks, there can only be one winner – and **12 years on today (5th May)**, this one is certainly worth looking back on.

Best of the PL: Crystal Palace 3-3 Liverpool | 2014

When the stakes were the highest, Crystal Palace added their own special evening to the rarity of a three-goal Premier League comeback.

The Eagles were not hosting just any team, but a Luis Suarez-inspired Liverpool chasing the league title. To most onlookers, the night was going as expected when the Brendan Rodgers side took a three goal lead in the second-half.

But the Selhurst Park faithful knew from experience that anything was possible, and roared on by a raucous Holmesdale Palace fought back via a long-range Damien Delaney effort and a Dwight Gayle brace.

The comeback took just nine minutes, still the second-fastest recovery from three goals down in Premier League history and a fitting end to a dramatic first season back in the top-flight – the Eagles had been relegation favourites after nine defeats in their opening 10 games.

Nicknamed ‘Crystanbul’, the match was voted by Palace supporters as their greatest game in Premier League history.

A dramatic comeback – is there any better feeling?

Few things in life can provide the same rollercoaster of emotion that football can – and none in such a short space of time.

Looking back on 'Crystanbul', 12 years ago today

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Jo Potter's side went into the final day knowing that three points would secure them automatic promotion, regardless of results elsewhere – whilst should the stars align, a shot at the league title was also possible.

But whilst Birmingham's win over Charlton at the Valley meant the trophy is bound for the Midlands, Palace's excellent 6-1 win over Portsmouth secured second place in WSL2 – and, with it, an immediate return to the top-flight!

Promotion caps a sensational turnaround in Palace Women's season, with the Eagles winning 12 of their 14 matches since mid-November – with just a single defeat in that time – to propel themselves back into the top league.

On that run, the Eagles were seemingly unstoppable, scoring 32 times and conceding just 12, to earn their place back in the big time.

Potter's Palace peaked at the perfect time and now finish the season in second place, having only entered the top two on the final day!

This result also means that Palace have secured automatic promotion to the Women's Super League for the 2026/27 season - where they will take on the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.

**For now, however, let the party begin in South London – WE ARE GOING UP!**

Crystal Palace Women have secured automatic promotion spot by finishing second in the Barclays Women's Super League 2, following a remarkable 6-1 final-day victory over Portsmouth in Sutton!

WE ARE GOING UP!: Palace Women promoted back to the WSL!

Crystal Palace Women v Portsmouth Women (2026-05-02)

Portsmouth Women

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Crystal Palace FC's first-ever major European adventure is underway, as we battle to win the UEFA Conference League. Find out how you can join us on our journey.

European Tour

## From Academy to Premier League

> Having joined the Palace Academy from Brentford in 2016, Tyrick Mitchell rose to prominence rapidly at Palace and set the record for the youngest-ever player to make 200 Premier League appearances for the club.

Mitchell was a regular in both of Palace's Under-18 and Under-23 Professional Development League South winning teams in 2017/18 as he spent a second campaign featuring at both levels.

A recruit from Brentford at the end of the 2015/16 season, Mitchell, an attacking left-back with bundles of pace, impressed sufficiently for the Academy side to be handed a chance with the Development team in 2016. He used that experience to his advantage in 17/18 as he helped his two teams to silverware.

In 2018/19, Mitchell was a regular fixture in Richard Shaw's U23s team and joined the first-team on their pre-season tour in the summer of 2019.

After returning from an injury sustained while on tour, Mitchell made several first-team squads and earned his Premier League debut against Leicester City in July 2020. He went on to secure his first Premier League start by playing the full 90 minutes against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In April 2021, he signed a contract extension through til the end of 2024/25. Mitchell then followed this up with his first goal and assist for the Eagles, as helped the side to a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa in May 2021.

His performances throughout 21/22 saw him earn a senior England call-up for the first time in March 2022, making his debut in a 2-1 win over Switzerland.

Mitchell was nearly ever-present in 2022/23, featuring for Palace in 38 out of a possible 41 games in all competitions. He made his 100th appearance in red and blue against Tottenham Hotspur towards the end of the campaign and was also awarded the PFA Community Champion Award for his support for the Palace for Life Foundation.

He was again so close to being ever-present in 2023/24, this time only missing a single game through injury. Nevertheless, he continued to make the left-back position his own, and even stepping further forward as a left wing-back under new manager Oliver Glasner. Mitchell concldued the campaign with his best attacking returns, with two goals and three assists.

In 2024/25, Mitchell was one of the first names on the teamsheet - featuring in 37 out of a possible 38 league games. He kept 11 clean sheets in the league, assisting five times. 

He also kept four clean sheets in the games he featured in as Palace lifted the FA Cup.

November 2021, December 2023

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

Crystal Palace, 2021/22

Young Player of the Season

Crystal Palace, 2022/23

PFA Community Champion

Mitchell

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Appearances

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Tyrick reflects on his 200th Premier League appearance

Best of Tyrick Mitchell | Newcastle (H)

Match Action: Crystal Palace 3-0 Fiorentina

Doc Brown meets Tyrick Mitchell

CCTV | The Team prepare for Shelbourne

Net88's November Player of the Month: Tyrick Mitchell

Best of Tyrick Mitchell | Fulham (A)

Match Highlights | RC Strasbourg 2-1 Crystal Palace

Mitchell previews Wolves 

Access All Over | Crystal Palace v Brighton

The best of Tyrick Mitchell | Brighton (H)

The best of our Defenders | Brighton (H)

Tyrick on hard-fought draw

From South London to Europe | This Is Our Night

CCTV | Internationals Returns

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Hit woodwork

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Get ready for Europe!

Women's Highlights | Palace 6-1 Portsmouth

Going into the final day with a plethora of scenarios possible – including a shot at the league title – the Eagles fought back from an early goal against Portsmouth to secure the three points they needed to claim promotion in some style.

Goals from Molly Sharpe, Ashleigh Weerden (two), Kirsty Howat, Annabel Blanchard and Elise Hughes capped an outstanding Palace performance in a must-win match in Sutton.

With Birmingham beating Charlton at the Valley, Palace ultimately finished second – winning their place back in the Women’s Super League at the first time of asking in front of a jubilant crowd in South London.

### Summary:

- Two changes for Palace on the final day, with Nolan and Littlejohn starting in Sutton.
- **3 - Goal:** Hornby provides gives Portsmouth with a shock lead straight from a corner.
- **4:** Larkin and Sharpe have close-range efforts kept out as Palace seek a response.
- **6:** Weerden hits the side-netting as Eagles.
- **11 – GOAL:** Sharpe slams home to restore parity for dominant Palace.
- **16:** Blanchard hits the bar with a fabulous solo effort and Littejohn’s curled is saved.
- **29:** Sharpe smashes into the side-netting from a tight angle as Eagles hunt next goal.
- **40:** Swaby’s strike flashes over with chances drying up as half-time approaches.
- **HT: Palace 1-1 Portsmouth**
- Brown comes on for Littlejohn at half-time.
- **47 – GOAL:** Brown slips Weerden in, and the forward rounds ‘the keeper and slots home.
- **50:** Blanchard tests Gray’s handling before Everett side-foots against the woodwork.
- **52:** Brown then has an effort blocked as Palace pile on the pressure.
- **55 – GOAL:** Weerden brings down Brown’s diagonal pass and finishes emphatically.
- **57 – GOAL:** Howat slams home a fourth from the edge of the box as Weerden breaks assist record.
- **63:** Everett makes a fine last-ditch challenge on Shepherd.
- **65 – GOAL:** Blanchard breaks away from Cato’s pass to slot home Palace’s fifth.
- **69 – GOAL:** Hughes heads home a sixth from Brown’s cross.
- **85:** Larkin lifts the ball over Gray, but wide of the near post.
- **FT: Palace 6-1 Portsmouth**
- **PALACE WOMEN WIN AUTOMATIC PROMOTION TO THE WSL!**

It all came down to this – and whilst the various scenarios surrounding where they would ultimately finish in the table were plentiful, the top line was simple enough: win against Portsmouth, and Crystal Palace would be back in the Women’s Super League at the first time of asking.

The two teams’ form books were contrasting ahead of kick-off at a sun swept VBS Community Stadium, with Jo Potter’s Palace having won 11 of their 13 previous  matches to propel themselves into contention for promotion, and bottom side Portsmouth relegated last weekend, with just one win in the same timeframe.

But football is rarely so simple, and it was the visitors – somewhat against the script of the expectant huge crowd – who took a shock early lead inside three minutes at the VBS Community Stadium.

Seconds after Ava Rowbotham’s long-distance effort was brilliantly turned over the bar by Shae Yañez at full stretch, Meg Hornby stepped up to take the corner – and managed to bend it high over everyone inside the box, and into the far top corner.

Palace’s response was immediate.

Within a minute of falling behind, Ashleigh Weerden pounced on a loose touch from Annie Wilding and drove into the box. Squaring for Abbie Larkin, the Republic of Ireland international’s placed effort was kept out well by goalkeeper Jessica Gray.

The ball came back into the area from Kirsty Howat towards Molly Sharpe at the far post, and her effort from close range was similarly kept out by Gray’s legs. Moments later, from a similar angle, Weerden hit the side-netting from a promising position.

It truly only felt like a matter of time, and the equaliser duly arrived on 11 minutes. Annabel Blanchard – fresh from celebrating 100 Palace appearances last weekend – square for Sharpe, whose first placed effort was blocked.

The ball looped up and was prodded back by Larkin into Sharpe’s path – the No. 8 smashing home the equaliser from close range.

The chances kept on coming, and five minutes later, it was Blanchard who almost scored a Goal of the Season contender on the final day of the campaign, shimmying past two players on the edge of the box and arcing a delightful out-swinger of an effort – over the ‘keeper, but also sadly against the top of the bar.

Palace kept the ball alive and, after some sharp passing, worked it to Ruesha Littlejohn. On her right foot, she curled towards the top corner, with Gray springing to her left to turn the ball round the post.

The seaside visitors had weathered Palace’s early storm, and chances became rarer in the first-half thereon, although Sharpe – from a tight angle – and Larkin – from distance – both threatened.

Indeed, the clearest remaining chance of the period came on 40 minutes, but Allyson Swaby – inside the box, but from a narrow angle – swept over the bar after Portsmouth failed to clear Blanchard’s delivery.

That was as good as the first-half got – although with Birmingham one up against Charlton at the Valley at that stage, the Eagles were still on course for a second-place finish and, with it, promotion.

But Palace were determined to remain masters of their own destiny – with Lola Brown’s introduction off the bench at half-time the spark to their flame.

Mere seconds after the 18-year-old midfielder had tested Gray’s low handling, the midfielder picked up a loose ball in the centre of the park and provided an inch-perfect slide-rule pass for Weerden to run onto.

There was still plenty of work for the forward to do from a tight angle – but Weerden’s touch past Gray, and her accurate finish from a tricky angle, were symptomatic of a player at the very top of her game.

It was a goal which sparked jubilation around the VBS – but the Eagles weren’t done yet. Not by a long way.

Palace peppered the Portsmouth goalmouth for the next 10 minutes; Blanchard tested Gray from a tight angle, Aimee Everett side-footed instinctively against the crossbar from close range, and Brown had a placed shot blocked inside the box.

On 55 minutes, it was three – another excellent assist for Brown, whose cross-field ball was pulled down by Weerden. Steadying herself, the forward produced a composed finish across goal.

Palace, as the saying goes so often these days goes, were on their way.

Two minutes later – still just before the hour mark – it was four, Howat controlling Weerden’s pull-back towards the edge of the box and emphatically dispatching a low rocket into the bottom corner. Gray barely moved.

The cross was a landmark for Weerden, as she moved into double figures for assists for the season – a record-breaking 10th assist seeing her the become the first-ever player to achieve that feat in WSL2.

Portsmouth briefly threatened in response, with a fine last-ditch tackle from Everett preventing Lucy Shepherd from notching a consolation – but straight up the other end Palace went, and My Cato fed Blanchard who, granted the freedom of Sutton, strolled through and stroked a fifth goal beyond Gray.

And the goals kept on coming, Brown registering her third assist inside 24 minutes not long after. The 18-year-old, this time on the left, clipped in a delightful cross; second-half substitute Elise Hughes, peeling away at the back post, nodded home with glee.

Portsmouth, to their credit, did rally, stemming the flow of clear opportunities, although Palace only ever looked likely to add to their tally from thereon in.

With Birmingham at that stage having added a second at the Valley, only a cricket score would have won Palace the title – but five goals up in their own must-win encounter, the Eagles knew promotion was all but assured.

Still in outside contention to win the WSL2 Golden Boot, Larkin went close to getting on the scoresheet with a lofted effort over Gray – finding the side-netting.

No matter – there had been so much to celebrate elsewhere on a day of sun, scintillating Palace football and, ultimately, celebration.

Palace Women were back in the big-time – exactly where they deserved to be.

**Palace:** Yañez (GK), Swaby, Everett, Nolan, Sharpe (Newell, 71), Littlejohn (Brown, HT), Cato (Arthur, 71), Weerden, Blanchard, Larkin (Brady, 87), Howat (Hughes, 61)

**Subs:** Annets (GK), De La Rue Browne (GK), Lee, Moynihan.

**Portsmouth:** Gray (GK), Bull, Barker, Rowbotham (Coan, 65), Hornby, Shepherd (Jones, 85), Wilding, Nixon (Dahou, 65), Estcourt, Peacock (Younger, 82), Milner (Young, 86).

**Subs:** Erhabor (GK), Woolley, Pitman, Sheffield.

Crystal Palace sealed promotion back to the Women’s Super League with a sensational 6-1 win over Portsmouth at the VBS Community Stadium, Jo Potter’s Eagles bouncing back to the top-flight at the first time of asking.

Report & Highlights: Extraordinary Eagles crush Portsmouth to bounce back into WSL

Goals from Molly-Mae Sharpe, Ashleigh Weerden (two), Kirsty Howat, Annabel Blanchard and Elise Hughes helped earn Palace a spot in the topflight next year. 

There were scenes of celebration and jubilation at the full-time whistle, as the Palace players, staff and fans knew they had done enough to earn automatic promotion.

Off the pitch, there was an appearance from Phoenix the Eagle as well a half-time raffle, penalty shoot-out and more in the Fanzone.

**Check out some of the best photos from a brilliant day in South London below!**

It was arguably Palace Women's best ever day at the VBS Community Stadium, as the Eagles put six past Portsmouth to secure promotion back to the Women's Super League. 

Matchday Gallery: The best photos from Palace's promotion winning game

Club

Club

Looking back on 'Crystanbul', 12 years ago today

Report & Highlights: Extraordinary Eagles crush Portsmouth to bounce back into WSL

Matchday Gallery: The best photos from Palace's promotion winning game

Get ready for Europe!

3Tyrick
Mitchell

Club

Club

Looking back on 'Crystanbul', 12 years ago today

Report & Highlights: Extraordinary Eagles crush Portsmouth to bounce back into WSL

Matchday Gallery: The best photos from Palace's promotion winning game

Get ready for Europe!

3TyrickMitchell

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