Brilliant Blues Sink Eagles As Madsen Gets Engaged

Women

22 March 25

By Everton

Everton cruised to a 3-0 victory against Crystal Palace in the WSL at Walton Hall Park on Saturday afternoon.

Justine Vanhaevermaet opened the scoring in the 43rd minute with her first goal of the season. The midfielder met a trademark inswinging corner from the left boot of Sara Holmgaard to reward the Toffees for their dominance in the opening 45.

Provider turned goalscorer seconds after the break as Holmgaard notched a header of her own. Found by Kelly Gago’s terrific cross, the Denmark international arrived late at the back-post to commence the second half in style.

Gago then combined with the full-back once more in the fifth minute of injury time, maintaining composure to latch on to the 26-year-old's through ball and slot past the keeper.

The win sees Everton climb to seventh place, after head coach Brian Sorensen stressed the importance of concluding the season strongly in the week.

The Dane made one change to the side that was narrowly defeated by Arsenal last time out.

Heather Payne replaced Elise Stenevik in the starting XI, with Rikke Madsen returning to the matchday squad for the first time since March 2024 after giving birth.

The hosts commenced the clash on top, but it was the visitors who registered the first attempt of the afternoon.

Ashleigh Weerden tested Courtney Brosnan on-the-spin inside eight minutes, with the keeper equal to her powerful strike, fortunately.

A quiet twenty minutes ensued, with the Toffees controlling the tempo and dominating possession.

Gago came close to breaking the deadlock on 31 minutes, but was inches away from meeting Sara Holmgaard’s lofted delivery from the left.

The breakthrough came with 43 minutes on the clock, Vanhaevermaet’s headed effort evading the reach of Shae Yanez and nestling in to the roof of the net.

Toni Payne came close to doubling the Blues’ lead on the stroke of half-time. The forward breezed past Allyson Swaby before releasing a venomous effort that was palmed away by Yanez.

Sorensen’s side doubled their lead seconds after the restart as Sara Holmgaard’s header crept in at the far-post. Found expertly by Gago’s whipped ball, the Dane headed the ball in to the ground and past the diving Yanez.

The action-packed start to the second half did not stop there, though, as Palace were awarded a penalty three minutes later. Fortunately, the referee was consulted by the linesman and correctly overturned the decision.

Veatriki Sarri and Lucy Hope replaced Heather Payne and Katja Snoeijs with twenty to play.

Hope almost claimed an assist two minutes after coming on. After being slid in down the right by Honoka Hayashi, she crossed with her first-touch. Gago towered above the Londoners’ backline to meet it, but failed to generate enough power in her header to trouble Yanez.

A loud cheer rang around Walton Hall Park with seven minutes remaining as Madsen made her return to action following the birth of her child.

With 95 minutes on the clock, Gago added a third with one of the last kicks of the game. She ran on to Sara Holmgaard's lofted ball down the right, before cuttin-in past her marker and keeping her cool to squeeze the ball past the keeper.

With an impressive three points already in the bag, an excellent afternoon was made even better after the full-time whistle.

Madsen's partner entered the field and surprised the striker during the team's huddle. Martin then got down on one knee and propose to Madsen, with the help of the pair's baby – Frida.

A beaming smile on her face, the Denmark international said yes! Her answer was met with celebrations and cheets from the crowd and the onlooking Toffees!