Everton 3-0 Crystal Palace Stats: Holmgaard Stars as Toffees Cruise to Convincing Victory

Everton bounced back from their Arsenal defeat as Vanhaevermaet, Holmgaard and Gago scored in a comfortable WSL win. Explore the key facts and stats in our comprehensive post-match breakdown.

Match Overview

📅 Date: March 22, 2025
🏆 Competition: WSL – Round 17
🏟️ Venue: Walton Hall Park, Liverpool, England
🛡️ Referee: Adewunmi Soneye
Final Score: Everton 3️⃣ - 0️⃣ Crystal Palace

Everton dominated proceedings to secure a convincing 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace in WSL Round 17, recording an impressive win that belied their inconsistent form in recent weeks. Justine Vanhaevermaet opened the scoring just before half-time, with Sara Holmgaard doubling the lead immediately after the restart. Kelly Gago sealed the win with a stoppage-time strike, ensuring the hosts bounced back strongly following their recent 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.

Phases of Play Analysis

First Half (1-0)

The opening period saw Everton establish control early with 64% possession, though clear-cut chances were initially hard to come by. The hosts gradually increased the pressure as the half progressed, creating several promising opportunities through Sara Holmgaard's wide play and Justine Vanhaevermaet's intelligent positioning. Their persistence was rewarded in the 43rd minute when Vanhaevermaet broke the deadlock with Sara Holmgaard providing the assist.

First Half Stats Breakdown:

• Everton: 2 shots on target from 5 attempts (40% accuracy)

• Crystal Palace: 1 shot on target from 2 attempts (50% accuracy)

• Everton passes: 275 (86% accuracy)

• Crystal Palace passes: 143 (79% accuracy)

• Everton created more danger with 3 corners to Palace's 0

Second Half (2-0)

Everton started the second half perfectly when Sara Holmgaard doubled their advantage just one minute after the restart, with Kelly Gago providing the assist. Crystal Palace responded with more attacking intent, gaining 55% possession in the second period and creating several opportunities from their 6 corners. However, Everton's defensive resilience, particularly from Martina Fernandez and Courtney Brosnan, ensured they maintained their clean sheet. Kelly Gago capped off an impressive individual performance with a stoppage-time goal, assisted by Sara Holmgaard, to confirm all three points for the hosts.

Second Half Stats Breakdown:

• Everton: 4 shots on target from 7 attempts (57% accuracy)

• Crystal Palace: 1 shot on target from 7 attempts (14% accuracy)

• Everton passes: 151 (85% accuracy)

• Crystal Palace passes: 181 (84% accuracy)

• Crystal Palace created more set-piece opportunities with 6 corners

Tactical Analysis

Everton's Approach

Everton deployed a 4-4-2 formation under Brian Sørensen, focusing on controlled possession and effective transitions. Their tactical approach, which has been most effective at home this season (securing 14 of their 19 points at Walton Hall Park), included:

1. Wing exploitation: Sara Holmgaard provided consistent attacking threat from left-back, creating 4 chances and contributing a goal and two assists

2. Central solidity: Vanhaevermaet and Fernandez formed a robust defensive partnership, completing 8 clearances and 7 interceptions combined

3. Pressing intensity: Effective high pressing led to 10 interceptions, disrupting Palace's build-up play

4. Set-piece efficiency: 5 corners created multiple scoring opportunities

5. Intelligent substitutions: The introduction of Veatriki Sarri and Melissa Lawley provided fresh attacking impetus in the final stages

6. Midfield creativity: Toni Payne, the team's leading assist provider this season, and Honoka Hayashi provided progressive passing and movement in midfield

Crystal Palace's Approach

Crystal Palace lined up in a 4-3-1-2 formation under Leif Gunnar Smerud, a system that had shown promise in their recent 3-1 win against Aston Villa but struggled to maintain consistent attacking pressure against Everton. Their tactical plan consisted of:

1. Counter-attacking focus: Despite 45% possession, Palace created 9 shots with Katie Stengel as the focal point – reflecting their better goal return away (9) than at home (6) this season

2. Second-half adaptation: Increased possession (55%) after the break showed improved tactical adjustments

3. Set-piece reliance: 6 corners created their most dangerous opportunities

4. Defensive compactness: 16 clearances reflected organised defensive structure despite conceding three goals and having the league's worst defensive record (40 goals conceded)

5. Substitution impact: The introduction of Indiah-Paige Riley provided improved creativity, creating 2 chances

6. Stengel-centric attack: Katie Stengel, involved in 6 of Palace's 15 goals this season prior to this match, was their main threat but struggled to make a significant impact

Individual Performances

Key Performers - Everton

Sara Holmgaard (9.2 rating) - Player of the Match

• 1 goal, 2 assists

• 4 chances created (match-high)

• 48/59 passes completed (81%)

• 7 clearances, 1 interception

• 3/3 aerial duels won (100%)

• 7 passes into final third

Justine Vanhaevermaet (8.8 rating)

• 1 goal

• 2 chances created

• 38/45 passes completed (84%)

• 3/3 tackles won (100%)

• 6/6 aerial duels won (100%)

• 10 duels won (match-high)

Kelly Gago (8.7 rating)

• 1 goal, 1 assist

• 3 chances created

• 17/21 passes completed (81%)

• 5 shots (2 on target)

• 10 touches in opposition box

• 2 successful dribbles (100%)

Courtney Brosnan (8.0 rating)

• Clean sheet

• 2 saves (100% save percentage)

• 34/34 passes completed (100%)

• 1 punched clearance

• 7 recoveries

• 3 diving saves

Key Performers - Crystal Palace

Katie Stengel (6.6 rating)

• 2 shots (1 on target)

• 26/34 passes completed (76%)

• 3 passes into final third

• 2/3 tackles won (67%)

• 2/6 aerial duels won (33%)

• 6 recoveries

• Palace's joint top scorer (3 goals) and key contributor (3 assists) coming into this match

Abbie Larkin (6.5 rating)

• 1 shot

• 7/10 passes completed (70%)

• 3/5 tackles won (60%)

• 7/10 ground duels won (70%)

• 3 recoveries

• 1 chance created

Indiah-Paige Riley (6.5 rating)

• 9/14 passes completed (64%)

• 2 chances created

• 1/2 successful dribbles (50%)

• 3/7 ground duels won (43%)

• 2 passes into final third

• Impactful as a substitute

Momentum Analysis

1. Minutes 5-7: Strong Everton momentum (+98%) with early pressure dominating possession

2. Minutes 17-19: Crystal Palace's best period (-100%) creating multiple chances against the run of play

3. Minutes 43-45: Decisive Everton surge (+84%) culminating in Vanhaevermaet's opener

4. Minutes 48-49: Palace momentum spike (-100%) after conceding early in second half

5. Minutes 62-63: Strong Everton period (+92%) creating multiple chances

6. Minutes 74: Everton momentum surge (+71%) building toward the final stages

7. Minutes 90+: Final Everton momentum peak leading to Gago's goal

Substitution Impact

Everton's substitutions:

• Heather Payne → Lucy Hope (70'): Rating difference +0.11, created a key chance

• Katja Snoeijs → Veatriki Sarri (70'): Rating difference -0.17, completed 3/3 dribbles (match-high)

• Honoka Hayashi → Rikke Marie Madsen (83'): Minimal impact with limited time

• Toni Payne → Melissa Lawley (83'): Minimal impact but added fresh legs

• Karen Holmgaard → Hayley Ladd (90+1'): Decisive late impact with assist before departure

Crystal Palace's substitutions:

• Josie Green → Indiah-Paige Riley (60'): Rating difference +0.98, created 2 chances

• Lily Woodham → Annabel Blanchard (79'): Rating difference +0.02, minimal impact

• Ashleigh Weerden → Isibeal Atkinson (86'): Minimal impact with limited time

• Clarissa Larisey → Elise Hughes (86'): Minimal impact with limited time

Set Piece Analysis

Set pieces played a moderate role in both teams' attacking strategies:

• Corners: Everton 5, Crystal Palace 6

• Accurate crosses: Everton 6/19 (32%), Crystal Palace 3/23 (13%)

• Sara Holmgaard's delivery (3/8 accurate crosses) created multiple chances from set-pieces

• Palace created their most dangerous moments from corners despite their lower conversion rate

Key Match Insights

1. Defensive Resilience: Everton's 30 clearances reflected their determination to maintain a clean sheet

2. Aerial Dominance: Everton won 80% of aerial duels, highlighting their physical advantage

3. Technical Superiority: Everton's passing accuracy (86% vs 82%) and successful dribbles (83% vs 36%) showcased their technical edge

4. Momentum Management: Everton's ability to score at crucial moments - just before half-time, immediately after the restart, and in stoppage time - showed excellent game management

Conclusion

Everton's 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace was a comprehensive display of tactical discipline, technical quality, and clinical finishing. Sara Holmgaard's stellar performance, earning her Player of the Match honors with a 9.2 rating, epitomised the Toffees' dominance across all areas of the pitch.

The match highlighted several key factors that influenced the outcome:

1. Everton's ability to convert key chances at crucial moments

2. The defensive solidity provided by Vanhaevermaet and Fernandez

3. Superior technical execution in midfield and attacking areas

4. Effective game management through well-timed substitutions

5. Clinical finishing with 50% of shots on target resulting in goals

This result moves Everton to seventh place, two points ahead of Tottenham who are yet to play, now on 19 points from 17 matches, while Crystal Palace remain rooted to the bottom of the table with 9 points, failing to build on their impressive 3-1 victory over Aston Villa in their previous outing.