Everton Women 3-0 Crystal Palace: WSL Match Report and Reaction

Brian Sorensen praised his side’s hard work as Everton Women moved to within three points of fifth place with a comprehensive win over bottom side Crystal Palace.

Justine Vanhaevermaet struck just before the break when she headed home Sara Holmagaard’s corner, before provider turned scorer with a header of her own.

Kelly Gago rounded off the scoring in the dying minutes with a typically composed finish to round off a dominant performance from the Toffees.

Head Coach Sorensen praised the display, but felt his team were playing a certain degree of nervousness, especially in the first 45.

“I think we were a little nervous in the first half, as everyone knew what was at stake, we don’t want to get dragged into it [relegation],” he said.

“First half, we were in control but weren’t playing superbly, we were almost trying to wait and see where and when things would open up and they [Crystal Palace] were disciplined in their defensive shape.

“I said at half-time to play with more conviction and belief in each other and second half they certainly did that.

“Justine (Vanhaervermaet) worked really hard, the whole team really grew into the game, the subs did well also when they came on and I was glad to see Kelly (Gago) get her reward for all her hard work with the last goal.”

Heather Payne replaced Elise Stenevik in the side’s only change from the Arsenal game, while Rikke Madsen returned to the matchday squad for the first time since March 2024 after giving birth.

Little did she realise her drama would occur after the final whistle, but more on that later.

Everton began the game on top but it would be Courtney Brosnan who would be tested first courtesy of Palace’s Ashleigh Weerden on eight minutes with a powerful strike that the Blues stopper was equal to.

Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images

Gago came close to breaking the deadlock for the hosts on 31 minutes, but couldn’t reach Sara Holmgaard’s inviting delivery from the left.

But the Dane’s crosses were a sign of things to come as Vanhaevermeat broke the deadlock just before the break.

The Belgian rose highest to meet the full-back’s pinpoint cross and her header found its way into the net despite two Palace defenders on the line.

The Toffees roared out of the blocks after the restart and doubled their advantage seconds later.

Gago collected down the right and sent the ball into the box where it was met by the advancing Sara Holmgaard, who brilliantly directed her header past the diving Shae Yanez.

Photo by Jan Kruger – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Palace thought they had a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty minutes later, only for the decision to be correctly reversed following the referee’s consultation with the linesman.

Sorensen freshened things up and sub Lucy Hope very nearly provided an assist for a third goal when her first-time cross was met by a towering Gago header that was dealt with by Yanez.

The Walton Hall Park crowd expressed delight when Madsen replaced Honoka Hayashi on 83 minutes to make her first appearance for a whole year after giving birth to her daughter.

And with 95 minutes on the clock, Gago collected Sara Holmgaard’s lofted ball down the right, before turning her marker inside out and squeezing the ball past Yanez with the outside of her left foot for her fifth goal of the season.

The strike capped a tireless performance from the French forward and would have been a fitting way to end the afternoon, but there would be more cheer after the full-time whistle.

Photo by Barrington Coombs/PA Images via Getty Images

With precious minutes under her belt, Madsen was surrounded by her teammates as her partner Martin entered the field and surprised the striker.

And with the help of baby Frida, Martin got down on one knee to pop the question to the Danish star as the crowd looked on.

Madsen said yes, her answer immediately greeted with celebrations and cheers from the crowd and the onlooking Toffees, with Sorensen happy with the moment that was not a huge surprise to him.

“I am glad the whole day played out,” he said. “I knew a bit before that it could happen if everything played out and it did.

“It was a special moment, she worked really hard to get back and I was really glad to see it.”

Photo by Jan Kruger – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Everton Women’s next engagement will be a trip to face Manchester United as the Blues look to cap off a positive month on Sunday, 30 March.

Kick-off at Leigh Sports Village is at 12pm (GMT).