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Manchester City ended the Women's Super League season on 43 points, 12 fewer than they managed in 2023-24 Manchester City twice came from behind to end their Women's Super League campaign with a win over relegated Crystal Palace. The Eagles, with only two WSL victories all season, took a shock fourth-minute lead through Ashleigh Weerden's calm lifted finish after Laia Aleixandri - who is to leave City on a free transfer this summer - lost possession for the hosts. But Palace's advantage only lasted 13 minutes until Kerolin pounced on indecisive defending, took a touch and fired past Shae Yanez. The visitors regained their advantage just before half-time when Katie Stengel did well to set up Mille Gejl and she shot home from just inside the penalty area. However, fourth-placed City fought back in style in the second half. Lauren Hemp had an effort ruled out for offside, Jill Roord hit the post and missed another chance and Kerolin wasted two glorious chances before Roord made it 2-2, converting the rebound after Yanez had parried Kerolin's effort. City were looking a threat every time they went forward and took a deserved lead in the 67th minute as defender Rebecca Knaak headed in from Hemp's corner, with only a number of saves from Yanez keeping Palace in the match. But Kerolin put the game beyond them with her second goal in the 86th minute, racing on to Aoba Fujino's through ball and slotting the finish past Yanez. The Palace keeper did superbly to tip over Fujino's effort but then conceded a fifth five minutes into stoppage time from the resulting corner as Knaak headed in her second goal of the afternoon. Rebecca Knaak scored with two headers as City overpowered Palace in the second half For City, despite impressing in the second half as they overwhelmed their opponents, there was no disguising they ultimately fell short on all of their targets in 2024-25. Last season they had taken the WSL title race to the final day, but were pipped on goal difference by Chelsea. City's late capitulation in their penultimate match of 2023-24, which saw them lose 2-1 at home to Arsenal having led going into the 89th minute, ultimately cost them becoming English champions. City started this season well with six wins and a draw from their opening seven WSL matches, but four losses in six games from November to February ended their hopes of a title push. They have also failed to secure European football, lost in the final of Women's League Cup and were beaten by Manchester United in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Before this match, interim City boss Nick Cushing, who took charge after Gareth Taylor's sacking in March, said there have been "no conversations" about the possibility of him continuing in the managerial role. If it was to be Cushing's last WSL game at City, he can take pride knowing his half-time changes - bringing Roord and Fujino on for Laura Coombs and Jess Park - transformed the game and saved City from an embarrassing home loss. He is set to take charge of the club at the Women's World Sevens tournament, a seven-a-side competition in Estoril, Portugal from 21-23 May, but does not expect to manage City in another 11-a-side match. "I'm contracted until June first and once that comes I will be back where I was in December and January, putting the bins out, " said Cushing. It was a miserable end to 2024-25 for Palace, who won promotion from the Championship last season but have struggled hugely at the higher level. They only kept one WSL clean sheet, in a 2-0 victory over Leicester in October, one of only two league victories they achieved. Their defensive frailties were shown in the second half as City produced wave after wave of attacks, with only a superb display from Yanez keeping the score down to five. In their final six matches of the season, Palace conceded 25 goals and will need to improve defensively if they are to succeed in the Championship in 2025-26. After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Head here to get involved Get the latest WSL news on our dedicated page Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 10th May 2025 at 14: 28 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Nick Cushing Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Leif Gunnar Smerud Formation: 4 - 3 - 3 Manager: Nick Cushing Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Leif Gunnar Smerud Formation: 4 - 3 - 3 Women's Super League All competitions All competitions All competitions Match ends, Manchester City Women 5, Crystal Palace Women 2. Second Half ends, Manchester City Women 5, Crystal Palace Women 2. Goal! Manchester City Women 5, Crystal Palace Women 2. Rebecca Knaak (Manchester City Women) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Aoba Fujino with a cross following a corner. Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Shae Yañez. Attempt saved. Aoba Fujino (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Substitution, Crystal Palace Women. Chloë Arthur replaces Katie Stengel. Substitution, Crystal Palace Women. My Cato replaces Ashleigh Weerden. Attempt missed. Rebecca Knaak (Manchester City Women) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Aoba Fujino with a cross following a corner. Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Katie Stengel. Attempt blocked. Jill Roord (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kerolin. Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. Attempt missed. Kerolin (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Jill Roord. Goal! Manchester City Women 4, Crystal Palace Women 2. Kerolin (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Aoba Fujino with a through ball. Offside, Manchester City Women. Kerolin is caught offside. Attempt saved. Kerolin (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Attempt missed. Aoba Fujino (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Attempt blocked. Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Substitution, Crystal Palace Women. Clarissa Laris­ey replaces Abbie Larkin. Substitution, Crystal Palace Women. Felicity Gibbons replaces Ria Öling. Foul by Rebecca Knaak (Manchester City Women). Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.