Crystal Palace Women

Women's FA Cup

Chelsea Women

The Eagles have beaten Sheffield United and Newcastle United in the tournament so far, but unbeaten Chelsea will prove to be a tough test for new manager Smerud.

**Watch live in the YouTube player above, or follow the action another way below!**

#### Is the match being broadcast?

The game this Sunday (9th March) kicks off at 14:30 GMT at Kingsmeadow and will be broadcast live on the Adobe Women's FA Cup YouTube channel, embedded above!

Alternatively, you can watch Sunday's game live on the FA Player [here.](https://faplayer.thefa.com/fixture-preview/bGl2ZSU3QzM4MTIzJTdDJTJGc2VjdGlvbiUzRnBhZ2UlM0RmaXh0dXJlcy1wYWdlJTdDZml4dHVyZXMtMC1hbGw%3D)

Away tickets are still available for this fixture, [and you can get them here!](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/EDP/Event/Index/573?position=2)

If you can't watch the game, the best place to follow all the action live on matchday is via our [**Palace Women X channel**](https://x.com/cpfc_w) and [**Instagram channel,**](https://www.instagram.com/cpfc_w/?hl=en) with live updates and content throughout the afternoon.

You can also follow via the official [**Crystal Palace App**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/information/palace-app-upgraded-download-and-use-now/), through which **goal updates and other important notifications are delivered straight to your phone**, keeping you informed of all the goals and key incidents for both sides.

Throughout the game, live **Opta stats** on the app will also keep you up to date with all the action. Even from ahead of matchday, and after the full-time whistle, you can follow all the action, **with previews, reaction and video** all in one place.

#### The Opposition

Sonia Bompastor joined Chelsea in the summer of 2024, replacing legendary manager Emma Hayes, who left after winning seven WSL titles with the club.

The Blues are unbeaten in all competitions, having dropped points in only two games all season.

Chelsea beat Charlton Athletic 4-0 in the third round and Everton 4-1 in the fourth round to get to the quarter-final stage.

Watch out for Lioness Lauren James as well as record signing Naomi Girma who became the most expensive women's player of all time in January, costing the club £900,000 from NWSL club San Diego Wave.

#### Factfile

- **Manager:** Sonia Bompastor
- **Nickname:** The Blues
- **Ground:** Kingsmeadow
- **Founded:** 1992 (35 years ago)

History awaits Crystal Palace on Sunday, as Leif Smerud's side take on Chelsea in a first ever Adobe Women's FA Cup quarter-final for the club – and you can watch LIVE below!

Watch Palace Women's FA Cup quarter-final at Chelsea LIVE (14:30)

Chelsea Women v Crystal Palace Women (2025-03-09)

"First of all, it's great to be here and to have this opportunity. It's an exciting challenge, and I'm looking forward to it," Smerud said.

Asked about his coaching style, Smerud highlighted his belief in teamwork and adaptability. 

“As a person and as a coach, I think I’m a team guy. One of the biggest paradoxes and important things in the world is bringing the individual and the team together. 

"I like to build good relationships with players and staff. I also like to hunt—the ball, the goals, and development. But you have to be brave, not stupid,” Smerud said.

With Palace battling to avoid relegation, Smerud was clear about his short-term goal. 

He said: “My mission is quite clear. Short-term, it’s to stay in the league. 

"But I’m also someone who likes to develop things long-term, so I want to improve the team as quickly as possible. For now, though, it’s about climbing the table.”

Chelsea, who are unbeaten in all competitions this season so far, will pose a huge challenge on Sunday in the FA Cup quarter-final.

Despite this, Smerud insists that his team must focus on themselves. 

“Chelsea are a great side, and they’re huge favourites. But football is unpredictable. We can’t control everything, but we can control our approach, and I don’t want us to play with fear. We have to fight,” he said.

Smerud also addressed the mental challenges facing his squad. “It’s been a tough season. When you lose a lot of games, fear can creep in. 

"I’ve told the players, let’s stop thinking about surviving and start thinking about fighting instead.

"The big challenge that I love with being a coach and a leader is that you actually need to know how to do it.

"It's one thing to write about it and talk about it, but you have to do it in action. That's what I find really inspiring and challenging, trying to affect it, to make a change and make a difference."

When asked about his approach and football philosophy, Smerud said: "I think it's important to be brave. We are in a situation now where we have very little to lose, but it's easy to start being scared.

"I think of those now, we need to try to fight. But there are many ways to hunt. You wouldn't hunt the lion on an open field, but you need to find a way.

"We can't control the outcomes, but we control what we do and how we approach it."

Finally, when asked about his connection to the club, Smerud was clear: “Football isn’t just about tactics; it’s about community. Palace has strong values, and that matters to me. 

"You need to have a reason why people should care.”

As Smerud and Palace embark on this new challenge, his message is simple: “We need to be brave. We need to hunt. And we don’t quit.”

**Tickets for Sunday's clash against Chelsea are still available,**[ and you can get them here!](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/EDP/Event/Index/573?position=2)

In his first press conference as Crystal Palace Women manager, Leif Smerud spoke to the media ahead of their Adobe Women's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Chelsea.

Smerud: We can’t control everything, but we can control our approach

Palace will be travelling to Kingsmeadow, home of the five-time winners of the Women's FA Cup on **Sunday, 9th March**, kicking off at **14:30 GMT.**

Away tickets for this fixture are on sale now, [and can you buy them here! ](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/EDP/Event/Index/573?position)

Please read the information in full below before purchasing your tickets.

### 📅 **Match Details**

**Chelsea vs Crystal Palace:**

- **Opponent**: Chelsea
- **Date**: Sunday, 9th March
- **Time**: 14:30
- **Competition**: Adobe Women's FA Cup
- **Venue**: Kingsmeadow

### 🎟 **Ticket Price**

- **Adult**: £15
- **Senior (65+)**: £7.50
- **Junior (Under 20)**: £7.50

### ℹ️ **Ticket Details**

- Tickets are pdf documents which will be issued no later than 48 hours to kick-off.
- Please click here to read the [visiting supporters' guide](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/tickets-guides-policies-and-forms).

Buy tickets here!

Tickets for Crystal Palace’s Adobe Women's FA Cup quarter-final match away at Chelsea are now on sale!

Women's FA CupKingsmeadow

News & Video

Stats

Women

Women

Watch Palace Women's FA Cup quarter-final at Chelsea LI...

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Women's FA Cup

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Women's FA CupKingsmeadow

News & Video

Stats

Women

Women

Watch Palace Women's FA Cup quarter-final at Chelsea LI...

Latest videos

Recent Meetings

Women's FA Cup

Head-To-Head

Form

Season so far