London City promoted with dramatic draw at Birmingham

London City Lionesses earned promotion to the Women's Super League for the first time despite title rivals Birmingham City coming from two goals down to force a thrilling draw on the final day of the Championship season.

A remarkable campaign came to an epic conclusion as the top two in the second tier met at St Andrew's, where Birmingham needed to win to take the only promotion spot, while leaders Lionesses required a point.

They got that point and secured the title, but only just.

Championship top scorer Izzy Goodwin broke the deadlock for London City two minutes after half-time with a brilliant strike, cutting in from the left wing before firing into the top corner right-footed from 25 yards.

The match appeared to be going only one way shortly before the hour when Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah - who had cleared a Birmingham effort off the line in the first half - headed in following a corner.

But Emily van Egmond bundled in from close range to pull one back for Birmingham, before Cho So-hyun forced a grandstand finish with a skilfully executed volley with four minutes to go.

However, Birmingham could not find a winner, which means their stint in the second tier will continue into a fourth season.

Promotion represents vindication for wealthy Lionesses owner Michele Kang, who took over in summer 2024 with the ambition of reaching the top of the women's game in England.

After hiring former Paris St-Germain boss Jocelyn Precheur and making several statement signings - including former WSL winner Kosovare Asllani - they have made the first step.

It also means Lionesses will become the first ever independent women's club, not associated with any men's team, to play in the WSL from next season.

Lionesses finish two points clear of Birmingham at the top of the Championship, and they will replace relegated Crystal Palace in the WSL for 2025-26.

"Since the beginning of the season it was tough, Precheur told BBC Sport. "Maybe people think with money it wields say to build a team. Of course it's easier with support, without financial support we could not do everything but there were a lot of things to do.

"Being promoted after just one season is amazing and completely outstanding. It was tough and I also want to recognise the performance of Birmingham because it is a little unfair to be honest in a game like this to see we only have one team promoted because I think both teams needed to be promoted."

Goodwin brilliance and defensive strength sends LCL to WSL

Izzy Goodwin scored her 16th league goal of the season to put London City Lionesses ahead

This match was always set to be tight, with two high quality teams meeting and so much on the line. Birmingham kicked off as joint highest scorers in the Championship, while Lionesses boasted the best defence.

London City were unbeaten in their 10 previous games, but they started slowly against a Birmingham side who had triumphed in their three previous meetings.

A tense first half saw both teams have efforts cleared off the line.

For Birmingham, Emily van Egmond saw her header blocked in the 13th minute by Boye-Hlorkah, who was brought into the starting XI by Precheur after being benched for last week's draw against Durham.

Then shortly before the break at the other end, Boye-Hlorkah capitalised on an error by home goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, only for Rebecca Holloway to make a last-ditch hooked clearance.

But Goodwin provided a moment of individual inspiration for her 16th goal in 20 Championship games, and it set up Lionesses to complete their promotion mission.

Boye-Hlorkah and Van Egmond traded goals before Cho made it particularly nerve-jangling with Birmingham's equaliser.

But the WSL founder members and former Women's FA Cup winners must wait for their return to the top flight.

Independent Lionesses make the step up

Birmingham defender Rebecca Holloway made a last-gasp goalline clearance in the first half

It will be fascinating to see how Lionesses, who have no affiliation with a men's club, compete in the WSL next season.

They will be facing 11 sides backed by associations with men's Premier League and Championship teams.

London City have hefty backing of their own from Kang's Kynisca Sports International group, which also owns Women's Champions League semi-finalists Lyon and American heavyweights Washington Spirit.

Away from the American ownership, this is the latest step in a remarkable journey for London City since they were born in 2019 out of a breakaway from Millwall Lionesses.

They have several recognisable names in their squad, will surely add more this summer, and are planning a world-class and female-centred training facility at Cobdown Park in Kent.

In the last two seasons, the promoted team have gone straight back down from the WSL - Bristol City in 2024 and Palace this year.

For Lionesses, bucking that trend is their next challenge, but they have made no secret about having loftier ambitions than that.

Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah celebrates scoring the second goal which proved crucial for Lionesses

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