Everton moved up to seventh in the Barclays WSL with a confident performance on Merseyside. Their 3-0 win over Crystal Palace – thanks to goals from Justine Vanhaevermaet, Sara Holmgaard and Kelly Gago – was only beaten by a pitchside proposal as Rikke Madsen’s boyfriend got down on one knee.
The Action
The early weekend game in the Barclays WSL promised to be an intriguing contest as Everton hosted Crystal Palace at Walton Hall Park.
While Everton have been enjoying a resurgence of late, the Eagles arrived in Merseyside buoyed by their big win over Aston Villa the previous weekend. It was a victory that had dragged them within a point of 11th place, giving them real hope in their battle for survival.
Brian Sørensen made just one alteration to the side that had been defeated by Arsenal. With Elise Stenevik dropping to the bench, Heather Payne came in at right back while Maren Mjelde shifted into central defence. There were two changes for Palace, meanwhile, with both Lexi Potter and Josie Green back from injury. Chloe Arthur, however, failed a late fitness test meaning Abbie Larkin was a last-minute change in the starting lineup.
Both sides endured a slow start in a tight opening that suffered from poor quality in the final third at both ends of the pitch. It was the visitors who created the best of the opportunities early on. Ashleigh Weerden was denied by Courtney Brosnan and Clarisa Larisey caused problems for Everton’s defence on the transition.
Despite this, however, it was the hosts who took advantage just before the break. Vanhaevermaet rose highest in the box to head home a Sara Holmgaard corner in the 43rd minute marking Everton’s first real chance of the game. The Belgian midfielder almost had a carbon copy just minutes later but the ball was scrambled off the line by Shae Yáñez in the Palace goal.
Injury to Abbie Larkin at the break forced Leif Smerud into a change at half-time. He brought on Katrine Veje at left back with Lily Woodham moving forward into midfield. Palace were disjointed as they adjusted, and it was that left side through which Everton’s second was created. Gago found herself in plenty of space to pick out a cross which Sara Holmgaard rose emphatically to meet just a minute after the restart.
The Eagles thought they had worked a way back into the game when Katie Stengel appeared to have been brought down in the box only for the referee to withdraw the penalty he had awarded after a long discussion with his official.
As the game drew to a close, it was the hosts who looked the most likely to add to the tally, They did so deep into injury time when Gago capped off a fine afternoon with a clinical finish.
Stand Out Moment
It is not every day that you witness a pitch-side marriage proposal. Love was in the air at Walton Hall Park after the final whistle when Martin Thomsen, Rikke Madsen’s boyfriend, got down on one knee to ask the Everton forward a very important question. The 27-year-old had made her return to the field for the first time since giving birth to her daughter in October. And a special day was made even more special when she said yes to the delight of her watching teammates.
💍💙 A special day at our home.
Congratulations, Rikke and Martin! pic.twitter.com/ZZHGLoO1Jn
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) March 23, 2025
Stand Out Performance
Kelly Gago has changed the dimension of this Everton team since her arrival from FC Nantes in December. A true focal point of the attack, she was a threat throughout with her energetic press and non-stop running. She recorded an assist and a goal to cap off an eye-catching afternoon.
Quote of the Day
“We don’t need to play with our handbrake on. We need to play full-power, but also still be smart, of course.”
Brian Sørensen, Everton
Teams
EVERTON
Courtney Brosnan (c); Heather Payne, Maren Mjelde, Martina Fernández, Sara Holmgaard; Honoka Hayashi, Hayley Ladd, Justine Vanhaevermaet; Katja Snoeijs; Toni Payne, Kelly Gago
Subs: Emily Ramsey; Lucy Hope; Melissa Lawley; Rikke Madsen; Karoline Olesen; Karen Holmgaard; Veatriki Sarri; Elise Stenevik; Emma Watson
Manager: Brian Sørensen
CRYSTAL PALACE
Shae Yáñez; Josie Green, Alysson Swaby (c), Aniek Nouwen, Lily Woodham; My Cato, Lexi Potter, Abbie Larkin; Ashleigh Weerden; Clarisa Larisey, Katie Stengel
Subs: Milla-Maj Majasaari; Chloe Arthur; Annabel Blanchard; Izzy Atkinson; Elise Hughes; Hayley Nolan; Indiah-Paige Riley; Molly-Mae Sharpe; Katrine Veje
Manager: Leif Smerud
